Hey guys, I know many of you long time trad nuts out there have tried both type nocks for wood arrows. Ive heard so much good about the Mercury speed nocks from a number of ol wise trad guys. Ive been using the Classic's, and love them. They look pretty similar.
So which is most popular with guys that know these nocks? Which would you choose, and tell why please?
Mercury because of the longer throat and no snap. I do not own any Classics.
I'm a big fan of the classics , like how they fit my string .
I like the speed nocks because of longer throat (and because I got a huge bag of them real cheap).
You can make them more like snap nocks very easily-- with the nock glued on the shaft, dip the nock into a mug of very hot water (I microwave it till it just starts to bubble/boil) for 15 or 20 seconds or so, then gently squeeze the nock tabs inward and blow on the nock to cool it while holding the tabs. If you overdo it and want to open up the tabs a little, just dip the nock again for 5-10 seconds or so, and then let it cool. Should be no need to spread the tabs with your fingers-- simply re-dipping the nock in hot water should result in it opening up a little.
I like to make mine so they just gently slide over the string-- not an aggressive "snap". I shoot split-finger, so I'm not looking for the nock to actually hold the arrow on the string.
I shot Mercury nocks for years, but switched to Bohnning Classics and don't plan to look back. I serve my string for a light snap.
Agree with above mercury
Bohnning Classic, they are a soft snap and the 11/32 - 5/16 Classic nocks are the same throat size while the 11/32 Mercury throat is much larger than the smaller 5/16 Mercury..
5/16 Mercury for 30 years!
Classics.
I do not like the speed nocks at all! I like a slight snap when I put my arrow on the string.
Bisch
I've always used the speed nocks and haven't had any reason to change.
My preference is the Mercury Speed nocks, like to have a locator for shooting out of back quiver, both have this. I have shot both. The big issue with Merc's is the quality of the manufacturing and material in recent years.
I shoot stockpiled old good stock Mercury's. Nothing wrong with the Bohning nocks. I file the nipples on the inside with a finger nail file to eliminate the snap on wood arrows/longbow. On recuve I shoot Bieter nocks on aluminum arrows.
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/Mobile%20Uploads/20160716_152921_zps7x8nlrzd.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160716_152921_zps7x8nlrzd.jpg.html)
Enjoy every arrow,
Jeff
Nice picture Jeff.
I use both, depends on the color I have and want to use. I bought several hundred of each brand. I do pay attention the Mercury nocks while shooting of other arrows are close the mine. They do seem to be a little brittle.
I used Mercs for many years until the quality control went to pot. I went to Bohning Classics and much prefer them over any other nock I have used. I prefer a nock that lightly snaps onto my string.
David is correct. The people who use to make Mercury nocks sold their plastics company and the new owners could cared less about the quality of the nocks.
I don't want any snap and Mercury are the fastest (widest throat) so that is what I use exclusively.
I don't like the new really high indicator on them so I file them down slightly so they are more like the older ones.
I have used both and don't have a true preference. The classics have been more commonly available; consequently, I have used them more often.
I, too, shot Mercury nocks until the quality deteriorated, then switched to Bohning Classics. For those who continue to shoot Mercurys, are you shooting old good stock, or has the quality improved to what they were before they went downhill?
I shoot the "old" good ones that I have stockpiled. Once they are gone I will go to Bohning classics. I got a bunch for now...
I like Mercuries better,but I got hold of a bunch of brittle yellow ones a few years back and went to Bohning. However, I got another batch of white Mercuries that are good. Now I have and use both.
The only nocks I ever had problems with were Mercury nocks. Finally, after a near dry fire from a nock that lost an ear on release, I stopped using them permanently.
Bohning Classic nocks have never given me grief.
I am a Mercury guy. I stockpiled them for years. I still have a ton of them. I am running low on yellow, but I have a lot of other colors.
I don't need a snap. I shoot split and I like the lack of a snap and how it comes off the string.
D.P.
Well from the sounds of things, if you dont have the old Mercury's, the best choice is probably the Classics. Glad I asked, as I was contemplating the new version Mercury. I'll stay with my tried and true Classic's. Thanks for all the replies!
The last time I used Mercury nocks they broke on release and caused dry fires and was more than one, it was in cold weather . I use Bohnings and wished I had some of the old Index nocks . I do have a bag of the nocks like HH used to use I don't care for them either . If any body is interested in them give me a message .
I really like the classics, probably because thats the knock i learned to shoot on, I wish i had them on all my arrows but not really worth it to me to adapt them to carbons.
I use both. When I use the Bohning I wrap sandpaper on a bamboo skewer and open the throat out so it barely holds the weight of the arrow on the string when pointing down. Tap the string it should fall off.
"Snap on" nocks make too much noise on release.
I have a bunch of the original Mercury nocks and I get my strings from Chad. He makes them with just right amount of friction so they are manageable and still not mess with the arrow flight. I high round index is critical for arrow handling for me, I have been doing the same thing for so long that I struggle with anything else.
My son has used the Bohnings since he was a kid and cannot get used to Mercury nocks.
I use only the Classics.