I bought a plastic Sterling slide rule in 10th grade. Still have it and occasionally show it to students I tutor. It’s magic to them if they have not yet learned logarithms!
They should have all kids use slide rules for the first two years of high school. Using a slide rules gives one a familiarity with the way numbers work and the magnitude of numbers.
Experience with a slide rule gives one the ability two do quick mental calculations for "ball park" estimates. Something was lost pedagogically when slide rules were fazed out. And, as you suggest, it gives a student visual familiarity with logarithms and how then work.