I have never used or though too much of self nocks, always being concerned with ruining an arrow. I just read an older article article in TBM by Sterling where he was discussing self nocks and I'm kind of anxious to try them out. Thoughts on self nocks VS plastic nocks...

I love self nocks. It's a good idea to wrap the area between the nock and rear of the feathers with sinew or thread - I coat that with Titebond III or super glue. That will minimize the damage if the grain happens to split. That is pretty rare, but it's worth the extra trouble to prevent problems. I have used self nocks for hickory, wild rose, black locust and Douglas fir shafts with good results.

As long as you develop a method to get them cut straight they are as good as any.

I wrap behind the nock with serving thread and a dab of glue. I cut the nocks with hacksaw blades taped together and tidy up with fine sand paper. It's a simple matter to cut the nocks the exact width you need to hold the arrow on the string. And if you are cresting/ painting your arrows, you can dip the self nocks- most people don't even notice that they're self nocks. JayInOz

self nocked arrows are all I shoot. Here is how I do it.

http://traditionalarchery101.com/nocks.html

Jawge

I'm now using the English war arrow method of thin horn slivers glued in as a footed nock end of the arrow for the self-nock, no need for any thread.

I make self no ks but I try and foot most of them.

Nice, Jon.

More work but can be just as good or better than plastic. You don't need a taper tool, just a good saw, reinforcing strips and wood glue. A small chainsaw file helps shape the throat. All tools you an get at the hardware store. What you really need though, is a good vise with padded jaws to hold the arrow straight up to work on. You cant do it easily or well by holding in your hands. Use a block of wood with sand paper wrapped around it to shape the nock.

NY Yankee I do it with my shafts laying flat on the work bench and held with a heavy spring clamp with just the nock end protruding over the edge of the bench. Whatever works eh :) JayInOz

okay, quick question or two... 1.can you "adjust" the width of the nock if the string wears, is replaced or the nock wears? 2. also, in looking at Jon's pics (beautiful by the way), what is to stop the hardwood from pushing in and splitting the shaft just as the string could?

Only adjustment is to file it out more or glue a piece in and e cut the nock. Some put fingernail polish in the grove to tighten it. The reinforcing piece is flat on the end and glued in so will not split out the shaft.

Bradkabible: Titebond II. I have never had an issue tho.

Love self nocks. They work very well. If your string wears it should be fixed rather than the nock.>>>>-----> Ken

I make them like Jon's for wood or plug the hole in river cane. John

To make perfectly centered self nocks, rather than trying to center the slot by eye and hand with stacked blades or files, use a bandsaw with the blade set to do one side of the slot, then flip shaft to do other side. Clamp on a fence to set the shaft against, adjust for the slot width with your cut-offs or old broke arrows, then do 'em all exactly the same. Smooth/shape afterward with sandpaper.

You can also do it twice to put in a footing first.

I usually just use plastic nocks but I made these awhile back for a friend.

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