Glue in Horn nock will it work?

[Boudreaux]

I just got some boo shafts (Thanks Mark!) I got 4 shafts of 3 different spine to test with to see what spine I need. I am thinking insted of cutting self nocks in each. I am thinking of making 3 or 4 horn nocks that I can remove and move from shaft to shaft much like more modern arrows. Here are some pictures of what I have come up with. I know I need to square it up a little better and I am thinking I will wrap the back of the arrow just incase but Will this work?



Thanks
Boswell

[Pat B]

You will have to have a better mateing so the stresses are even between the horn and the bamboo. I would add a sinew wrap behind the nock too. I prefer self nocks. I think they are more durable than any others except maybe a reinforced self nock. Be aware of the grain of the horn. I've heard of horn nocks breaking when shot.

[markinengland]

Boswell,

That kind of nock should work, but I'm not sure you will be able to move the nocks from arrow to arrow. The horn nock really needs to be a good firm glued fit, bound and supported into the arrow so the forces within the nock, between nock and shaft and within the shaft are spread rather than concentrated.

I just glued a dozen horn nocks into some of my shafts for some new field shooting arrows. The tang on mine is longer at about an inch. They are glued in, shaped to fit the shaft then the nock itself finally shaped with a tile saw and file. It you are interested I can post some pictures. I'll be binding with silk from just behind the actual string nock position and onto the shaft to help spread the forces.

Mark in England

[Boudreaux]

Mark,
I would like to see some pictures to get a better idea.
Thanks,
Boswell

[markinengland]

Will post a pic ASAP. I've put some Danish Oil on my arrows and maybe because it's so humid right now they've not dried yet. Hope they'll be dry tomorrow morning.



Here are three arrows showing the horn nock glued in, then filed to diameter and finished to suit the shaft and nock groove given first rough cut with a tile saw.

[Boudreaux]

Mark,
Did you shape them by hand?
Or do you have some kind of jig that you used.

Thanks
Boswell

[markinengland]

Boswell,

I got the horn blanks made for me by a horn specialist to go with my shafts.

The shape is designed to suit a range of diameters. Once glued in I reduced the horn to fit the shaft using a fine file. A little more filing to make the shape nice, then cut down the guide slot using a tile saw to form the nock itself. A bit more shaping with needle files may be needed so they fit my string the way I like.

Mark in England