Sterling Saddle-Tail 1:8

The Sterling Saddle-Tail 1:8 is a saddle-shaped dovetail marker for laying out dovetails. It sits over the edge of the board so you can mark both the angled dovetail line on the face and the square line on the end grain without moving the tool. The 1:8 ratio is common for dovetails in hardwood.

The Saddle-Tail was inspired by a layout tool from Christopher Schwarz' personal tool kit, designed and made by Christian Groves of Melbourne, Australia. Chris Kuehn, founder of Sterling Tool Works, used this tool during a class taught by Schwarz and developed an improved design. The Saddle-Tail became Sterling Tool Works' first product.