Steffen Karlsen, a 31-year-old navy officer from Trondheim, Norway, has found a creative solution to aid in measurements using a rather unconventional method—a tattoo of a ruler on his right index finger.
Karlsen’s partner, Julie Stromsnes, 35, took on the task of inking the playful design onto his finger after his request. The tattoo consists of ten lines spaced one centimeter apart, providing a handy measuring tool at his fingertips.
Expressing his satisfaction with the tattoo, Karlsen, dubbed “genius” by some social media users, expressed eagerness to utilize it whenever necessary. “I always wanted to use my fingers for measurements. I thought about having lines on it for centimeters. I love it. It’s a useful tattoo that I can use for something,” he shared.
Initially skeptical about the aesthetic, Julie, who has a history of tattooing, was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. “I was skeptical of the aesthetic but it turned out so cool. I was so happy with how it turned out perfect,” she said.
The couple, who first crossed paths when Julie was an apprentice in 2011 and later bonded over tattooing in 2021, are now anticipating the arrival of their baby in May this year. Karlsen, an avid tattoo enthusiast with ink adorning his upper body and foot, conceived the idea for the ruler tattoo just last month.
During a recent visit to the AvantGarde studio, Karlsen successfully persuaded Julie to bring his design to life. Spending a mere 10 minutes sketching out the measurements and another five minutes completing the tattoo, the couple swiftly turned the idea into reality.
While Karlsen is yet to put his new ruler tattoo into practical use, he relishes the prospect of its functionality, particularly for artwork. “It’s nice to have the opportunity. It’s intended for artwork,” he remarked.
The inventive ink has sparked a mixed reaction on social media, with some commending Karlsen’s ingenuity while others criticize it as “stupid.” Julie noted, “A lot of people say I’m a hairdresser or I’m a civil engineer—it could be handy.”
Despite the varying opinions, Karlsen remains pleased with his unique tattoo, which promises to be more than just a conversation starter but a practical tool in his everyday life.