What do English people call the old wooden yardsticks that folded up onto itself to 6inch final length?

Both of my grandfathers were carpenters and they used a "folding ruler" when they wanted something more precise than a rule of thumb (or forearm, or foot, or span). The folding ruler was a 6-foot wooden ruler that did fold up to a length of about 6 or 7 inches. Though spring-wound tape measures seem to be more in vogue today, I believe you can still purchase folding rulers at building supply stores.

Incidentally, would an abdicating king be a "folding ruler"?

(sorry!)
Robert