There was a time when only a few trading companies carefully controlled the violin-making business. These companies regulated the flow of parts, tools, strings, and even designs to shops and individuals utterly dependent upon these intermediate wholesale trade organizations. Most of the wood, tools, and other paraphernalia for the violin trade originated or at least flowed through Germany and had done so since the prominence of Fussen over the European lute trade starting in the early 16th century. This reliance on the Germanic cadre had difficulties. I remember going into a prominent violin supply shop in London for some cello pegs only to find that none were available because the German gentleman who made them had been ill.
I recently desired a new purfling marker and found numerous available models. The availability of specialty items is truly remarkable these days. I ended up with a little brass number, probably made in China but readily available from Amazon with Prime delivery. I wanted something with solidity and heft, and this tool feels substantial yet controllable in the hand. I spent several hours this afternoon sharpening and setting the blades, and you can see from the picture that by the fourth test trench, I had the settings as I liked. The sides of the channel are tight against the purfling without squeezing it, and the edge lines are well-defined.