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

I think rudders bows has horn and bone nocks. You can just google rudders bows.

Thanks, WV.  I checked and the horn & bone nocks are for bamboo shafts.  Good lead though!

Jerry

I have made them from cow horn as well as several kinds of hardwood. The trick with horn is to get it flat and of fairly uniform thickness. You can cut it yourself with a bandsaw. This particular insert is rosewood.  

How thick is the typical insert?

Hey Jerry, I do them the width of my table saw blade and made a jig to run them right down the middle.  Not much of a jig really, just set the table saw height to however deep you want the insert, set your fence and run a piece of scrap hardwood through.  I like stuff that's about the size of 2x4 maybe six inches long.  Then, get an 11/32 drill and drill a hole through the center of the kerf.  Helps to drill a smaller pilot hole first.  Also, need a zero clearance insert on the table saw.  All you've got to do is line up the grain to cut it the way you want, put the shaft in the pilot hole, set the scrap up against the fence and run it through.

That clear as mud?  If so, give me a holler and we can do them down in my shop sometime    

Stan

Forgot to say, I've also had luck using hardwood dowels that are 1/8th inch as pins right below the self nock as well.  Really easy, just drill a hole and glue in the dowel.

Weasel, I purchased a couple dz 3 years ago from a supplier in Old Great Britain.
Wow were they expensive. But they are the real deal.
I've still got them and they aren't leaving my stable unless I should perish unexpectadly and the kids look and say, what the hell is this?
1/2 a dozen are inserted into my cane shafts.
Saving the remainder for when I learn what I'm doing.

I cut my inserts from water buffalo horn slabs marketed for knife handles. You can see them   here at Jantz Supply   and a number of other suppliers also have them.

Guy

And I will say that Mr. Taylor knows his stuff.
Wish I were so enhanced. If you'd like to find out about cane and primative archery you need to visit Guys web page above.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bowferd:
Wish I were so enhanced.

Heh, heh... I've been called a lot of things but I've never been accusted of being enhanced   :eek:  
Thanks, Fred. I sure appreciate the kind words.

Guy

Thanks guys!!

Jerry

Although they aren't horn, Ted Fry at Raptor Archery sells a "Nifty Nocker" kit for self nocks. Basically a jig that will ensure that your nock footings (I have used Cocobolo) are straight. It's a bit of work, but boy do they make nice looking woodies!