Inserts For Self-nocks??

[Jerry Gowins]

I've been watching the "Fletching Medieval Arrows" DVD and see that they use buffalo horn for the nock inserts. Is that a better way to go than hardwood? If so, does anyone sell the inserts commercially?

Thanks!

Jerry

[Pat B]

I've used horn, hardwood and rawhide for reinforced self nocks, all with good results.

[Loki]

You can buy slabs of Buffalo horn if you fancy cutting your own out or pacs of 'slivers' sold as nock reinforcements but they are always too thick so need some sanding to get to the correct thickness.You can also buy 'rods' of horn for use on 'full' horn nocks.

[sailordad]

Loki,thems cool looking nock inserts
i realy like that last one,way cool

[half eye]

Jerry,
     I make all my "serious" arrows from 3/8" hardwood, they are self knocks also. None have any "reinforcement" and a friend of mine is still shooting some from a new 180# crossbow.....never had one break yet. But if you want the "authentic" look go ahead and use them.....my personal opinion is they are not necessary for any normal hunting bow. Cane, cerdar or spruce might be another story all together.
Rich

[Loki]

I've been watching the "Fletching Medieval Arrows" DVD

my personal opinion is they are not necessary for any normal hunting bow

If Mr Gowins wants Arrows for hunting I would suggest he research those types,I would hate to hit a Deer with a 1/2" Poplar War arrow with an armour piercing head.I tend to put horn inserts in all the arrows I make but thats just because I like making them and I shoot Longbows,they arent really necessary on anything under 100#.

Loki,thems cool looking nock inserts
i realy like that last one,way cool

Thank you Sailordad,the full horn nocks certainly look nice and they give you an excellent 'pinch' on the string but they are a pig to make  .

[George Tsoukalas]

Hi Jerry! How are you? Well, I've broke about 3 nocks in lots of wears of shooting. One was a plastic nock, the other was a reinforced nock and the other was an unwrapped self nock. I have never broken a wrapped self nock. But to answer your question I see no advantage for horn over hardwood except for authenticity. Jawge

[Scott Gray]

Jaap (pronounced Yap) of Yumi archery sells horn nocks as well as blanks for footing the nock end. Very nice fella.

[Pat B]

Glenn St Charles, in Billets to Bows, talks about using rawhide to reinforce self nocks. I tried it and it was simple, cheap and never had one break. Lots of reinforcements in a dog chew!

[Jerry Gowins]

Hi George!  I'm doing well, thanks!

Thanks to all who replied!  Sounds like it doesn't matter what I use, as long as I use something. 

Jerry

[mullet]

 Loki;

 I can see an advantage with the Buffalo horn wedge over a straight horn nock. I've quit using a horn nock by itself. I've had several break on me. Luckly, I haven't lost a bow, but the string slap on the arm really sucked wind.

[ken75]

hey jerry I've enjoyed your pictures for years !!, and i don't mean to cut in but does the weight of the horn nock have any adverse effects on flight ?

[Muina]

I haven't built any arrows in a while, but I usedto use horn for the inserts. They work brilliantly, and I never saw any affect on the arrow flight.

As for commercially produced inserts, I got some from ebay really cheap a couple of years ago but I don't know if they're still on there. Also try Richard Head Longbows and I think Flybow sell them?

Anthony

[mox1968]

was wondering how do you cut the horn when making slivers for nocks,bandsaw,hacksaw?

[Jerry Gowins]

Thanks Ken!