# 12" steel rule for back scratching. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 9, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025 "2015-10-09T13:35:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/1 "2015-10-09T13:35:43Z")
I keep a 12" steel rule in my desk for scraping between my shoulder blades. I like it because it has a choice of sharp corners (which I hardly ever use), a nice rounded end for covering a small area without drawing blood, and the sides are great for broad scratchage. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/2 "2015-10-09T14:01:28Z")
I use a short crowbar. It’s got a good heft and the hook lets me get around the shoulder blade. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/3 "2015-10-09T14:04:00Z")
Door frame works every time. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/4 "2015-10-09T14:04:24Z")
Kitchen utensils work well. Also a nail remover, kind of like a crowbar as running coach mentioned. In a pinch a pen or pencil will do the trick. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/5 "2015-10-09T14:10:35Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Kitchen utensils work well. This. I have a pasta fork at my desk and it works great. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/6 "2015-10-09T14:13:33Z")
Heathens and Barbarians the lot of you! I use a special bamboo back scratcher made specifically for scratching ones back. I keep one at my desk and one on my nightstand for those midnight itches right below my right shoulder blade. I never travel without one in my suitcase. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/7 "2015-10-09T14:20:43Z")
I have a traditional bamboo backscratcher, as well as three telescoping metallic backscratchers (one in my nightstand, one in the table next to my T.V. watching chair, and one in my desk at work). I have two torn shoulders, so I’m not able to reach my back without assistance. A woman at work was using her ruler to scratch her back, and I recommended a telescoping backscratcher, but apparently the ruler works fine for her. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/8 "2015-10-09T14:38:16Z")
I got married. A backscratcher would have been cheaper. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/9 "2015-10-09T14:41:58Z")
A coworker gave this to me as a gift years ago: [Amazon Link](http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Claw-Telescopic-Scratcher-shipped/dp/B0067ARLTU). I have been very careful to treasure it since then. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/10 "2015-10-09T14:44:46Z")
OK, I should have known: [BackScratcherWorld.](http://www.backscratcherworld.com/) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/11 "2015-10-09T14:45:29Z")
I have a pair of scissors at my desk. They’re pretty harmless when closed and don’t easily flop open. So I use the outside, non-cutting edges of the blades to scratch. In bed I use a bamboo scratcher (ooh la la). I was outside doing some work the other day while wearing a tank top, and I had failed to spray my back with Off, and am employing the heck out of the scissors now. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/12 "2015-10-09T14:49:06Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > A coworker gave this to me as a gift years ago: [Amazon Link](http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Claw-Telescopic-Scratcher-shipped/dp/B0067ARLTU). I have been very careful to treasure it since then. My wife gave me that one. Maybe if I sharpened the claws I could get some traction with it. It’s kind of short while fully telescoped, and flimsy too. I have thick leathery skin, it takes something sharp and hefty to get at that itches. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/13 "2015-10-09T14:57:35Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > I got married. A backscratcher would have been cheaper. 😉 Mine has no idea how to properly scratch! > [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > Door frame works every time. Unless there is a nail in a good spot, door frames are useless! > [@BubbaDog](#): > > Heathens and Barbarians the lot of you! > I use a special bamboo back scratcher made specifically for scratching ones back. how droll! The easy way out! ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/14 "2015-10-09T14:57:52Z")
I’ve got a [different](http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Triangular-Architect-Scale-Ruler/dp/B004QJU632/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1444402629&sr=8-23&keywords=architects+ruler) ruler at my desk. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/15 "2015-10-09T15:16:32Z")
The absolute greatest backscratcher in the world is a used tine of a bamboo rake. Find [something like this](http://www.uniontools.com/uploads/images/True%20Temper/products/64153_L_01.JPG) that someone has thrown out, steal some tines it before the garbage truck comes. Or before you throw your own out, keep the tines. My cats have all loved them too, especially when they smell of fresh grass. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/16 "2015-10-09T16:09:18Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > A coworker gave this to me as a gift years ago: [Amazon Link](http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Claw-Telescopic-Scratcher-shipped/dp/B0067ARLTU). I have been very careful to treasure it since then. That is one of the three that I have. It was a gift from my sister. It works great, but the $3.00 ones from the drugstore also work for my purposes. I do have delicate, fair skin, not a tough, leathery hide, though. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/17 "2015-10-09T16:33:15Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > I’ve got a [different](http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Triangular-Architect-Scale-Ruler/dp/B004QJU632/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1444402629&sr=8-23&keywords=architects+ruler) ruler at my desk. Same here. Works well for both direct scratching and just sweeping across my back. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/18 "2015-10-09T19:28:57Z")
> [@MrQwertyasd](#): > > I keep a 12" steel rule in my desk for scraping between my shoulder blades. So do I, mine has a calibration sticker on it as well so ha! my relief is more accurate than yours! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/19 "2015-10-09T19:35:42Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > That is one of the three that I have. It was a gift from my sister. It works great, but the $3.00 ones from the drugstore also work for my purposes. I do have delicate, fair skin, not a tough, leathery hide, though. 😉 Cannot one be delicately leathery, I ask? ---
**Author:** ![SUZ\_MAC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@SUZ\_MAC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SUZ_MAC)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025/20 "2015-10-09T20:42:00Z")
At home I have a back scratcher with an extended wand. I use it every morning. Should I need to back scratch at work I use my letter opener. Not ideal, but it gets the job done. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-steel-rule-for-back-scratching/734025.md?page=2)