The beam of a balance scale and a level that have a receptacle for [holding] metal, a carrying-pole that has a receptacle for [holding] money, a pauper’s cane that has a receptacle for [holding] water, a stick that has a receptacle for [holding] a mezuzah and pearls, these are tamei. Regarding [the law of] all of these [utensils], Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai said: Woe to me if I say it, and woe to me if I do not say it.

The base of smiths is tamei. But that of a blacksmith is tahor. A sharpening board that has a receptacle for [holding] oil is tamei. But [a sharpening board] that does not have [a receptacle] is tahor. A ledger that has a receptacle for [holding] wax is tamei. But [a ledger] that does not have [a receptacle] is tahor. [Regarding] a straw mat or a straw tube, R’ Akiva rules it tamei, but R’ Yochanan ben Nuri rules it tahor. R’ Shimon says: The same applies to colocynth. A mat of reeds or of sedge is tahor. A reed tube that was cut for the purpose of being used as a receptacle is tahor until one removes all of the pith.