Silk vs cotton thread for self nocks

[Blayne]

In the process of building some arrows for an up-coming hunt. I was taught arrow building using silk to reinforce the self nock. It there a big difference with that over cotton? Is cotton thread not as strong? Thanks.

[sweeney3]

Both should work fine.  I typically use unwaxed dental floss myself. 

[jeffp51]

I really dig those asian style bamboo arrows with the silk wrappings.  They just look so classy.  I admire the attention to detail and the ritualistic, almost religious approach they take to traditional handicrafts.  I am sure both cotton and silk will work.  But what you do, do it well.

[Pat B]

I like silk because it is thinner and stronger. Cotton can be pretty big in diameter, relatively speaking.  Now, I use back strap sinew for arrow wraps and seal it with pitch varnish or super glue. I know some folks use upholstery thread but for me it is too big. I've tried fly tying thread but it always breaks just as I'm about to end it.

[bowandarrow473]

Both cotton or silk will work, but I would prefer the silk as it is stronger. I personally use Dacron B-50 or sinew and they work great.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I've used both, but like Pat I use back sinew now.

[Dakota Kid]

The make a colored flat thread for tying flies. I would say it's equivalent to dental floss the way it flattens out, but it comes in any color you want. The wraps are smooth and seamless.

I've also used a lot embroidery thread because I had a ton of it given to me. It works just fine, but for looks I prefer the fly tying thread.

[DC]

You can also get Kevlar fly tying thread if you're after real strong.

[Pat B]

Sinew is plenty strong. I chew a strand until it is soft then wrap around the point and down the shaft about an inch. Once that's done I lick my fingers and twist the shaft with fingers on the wrap to smooth it out. Once that's done you can hardly find the tag end. After a day or so drying(depends on humidity) I seal the wrap with pitch varnish or super glue. This makes a smooth wrap that is plenty strong. You can seal with TBIII also.

[Blayne]

Thanks for the advise everyone! I did use 3/0 black fly tying thread from one of my previous obsessions lol. Soaked in Gorilla super glue. It shall work fine I think. Wrapped the point end of the feathers the same way. My points are slightly big for my shafts, so I may use embroidery thread to taper out to the shaft.

[chamookman]

Rod winding thread, for wrapping the eyes on fishing rods works very well. Super strong - small diameter and comes in zillion different colors. Bob

[Buck67]

I haven't had any problems using heavy button thread for Feathers and fletchings. I glue it down with hide glue.  I have used silk but it seems to take forever to finish a wrapping.

(so much for trying to post while using a smartphone)

[DC]

Thanks for the advise everyone! I did use 3/0 black fly tying thread from one of my previous obsessions lol. Soaked in Gorilla super glue. It shall work fine I think. Wrapped the point end of the feathers the same way. My points are slightly big for my shafts, so I may use embroidery thread to taper out to the shaft.

On my first arrows I wrapped the self nocks with cotton thread soaked in CA. It was so rough it would peel the skin off my fingers. Sanding it just turned it into fluff. I wipe wood glue on it now. Nice and smooth.

[Dakota Kid]

I also noticed how rough super glue left thread wrappings. I much prefer fly tying head cement or clear sally hansen hard as nails. I've also had good results with quick set epoxy, but it's more time consuming and smells worse.

[Pat B]

After you glue the thread with super glue sand it with fine sand paper add a thin layer of glue and sand again. I have seen silk thread come out like a smooth solid band done like this.