better than chalk and a knife is better than the pencil and a knifing (cutting) gauge is better than a free hand or straightedge line. All the marking utensils have a place and purpose. Here is how to make your own cutting gauge. As with most home made tools you can get as elaborate as you choose to. There is nothing wrong with having nice tools or customized to your hands tools so knock yourself out on this one.
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-proj ... -plan.htmlIf a morticing gauge is more needed in your shop, then this "how to" should help.
https://literaryworkshop.wordpress.com/ ... -can-make/Using either one will make your layouts more accurate and repeatable.