How do you select which side of the arrow shaft gets the cock feather?
I cut self nocks perpendicular to the grain and hand test the spine to either side. So far I've put the cock feather on the stiffer side.
I've read a lot but that's an elusive little detail.
Thank you.
I occasionally spine both sides but haven't found enough difference to worry about it.
Guy
If you want the stiffer spined side of the arrow riding against the bow then the cock feather would be on the opposite side.
My opinion and I am not the only turnip on the truck here.
I usually put a small pencil dot just above the nock to indicate how I want to orient the nock on the shaft, with the area along the arrow shaft that I spined on the bottom, if that makes sense.
Good Luck
I agree with Mike. The stiff side against the bow and if possible the stiffer of the up and down sides on the shelf.
It's never made any difference to me. Quality shafts will have very little difference between the sides, not enough to affect accuracy or safety. I reject shafts with too much difference between the sides, which I usually detect in the straightening process. A shaft with too much difference between the sides will try to twist in your hand while straightening. With the yellow poplar I use this is very rare.
Thank you, guys. I'm going with the stiffer sides to the bow now, when I can tell a difference.