Quilters Slidelock is not a ruler. It's a rotary cutting guide that locks both fabric and Slidelock to the cutting mat. Just a slight amount of downward pressure on the handle engages a series of retractable grippers along the entire length of the Slidelock. It's like having eleven fingers all in a row firmly holding fabric and Slidelock motionless while you cut. Once you use a Quilters Slidelock, you will never go back to using a standard quilting ruler as a rotary cutting guide again.