Nock Placement

markw · December 29, 2010, 11:15:00 AM

I have a rookie nock question. I've read a lot about choosing the right arrow and fletching, but I haven't been able to get info on nocks. Is there a specific way that nocks need to be installed? I wasn't sure if they had to be glued on in a certain way based on the grain of the arrow or some other factor. Or do you just taper and glue?

Pat B · December 29, 2010, 11:42:00 AM

Doweled arrows should be set up so the grain "flames" are on top and bottom pointing away from the shooter. That would put the throat of the nock in line with the flames and your cock feather 90deg off of that.

magnus · December 29, 2010, 11:46:00 AM

Your nock should be placed so the rifts on the shaft face away from you on top of the shaft. Looks like this >>>>> that way if it were to brake it will go up and away from you and your nock will be placed so your string will be vertical to the to the straight lines in the shaft. Hopes this helps. Not very good at explaining things.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus

rbbhunt · December 29, 2010, 03:05:00 PM

Another way to put it, is you want the grain (looking from the end of the arrow) perpendicular to the string (or pointing to the side of the bow window). This is the stongest dirction of the shaft and is usually how the arrow is spined (along the grain, not across).

fujimo · December 29, 2010, 10:08:00 PM

having said that... i spine all my shafts on all 4 sides, mostly they do spine higher on the grain side- but have had a few sine higher on the "flame " sides-
but as all have said above is the correct way.
wayne

Pat B · December 29, 2010, 11:23:00 PM

In a situation like fujima suggests with higher spine on the "flame" side(set up with nock perpendicular to grain) and your arrow doesn't fly right just flip it over(cock feather in) and it will probably shoot better. Generally you want the stiff side of the arrow in towards the bow and the second stiffest side down on the shelf but that is not always an option.

George Tsoukalas · December 30, 2010, 12:03:00 AM

Nock perp to butt grain. These>>>>>pointing towards your shooting hand. Jawge

George Tsoukalas · December 30, 2010, 12:04:00 AM

http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/simplearrow.html

markw · December 30, 2010, 09:23:00 AM

Thanks guys. This helps a bunch!

fujimo · December 30, 2010, 09:31:00 AM

hi george-
i am a tad confused about something- i have thought long and hard about- as i had not considered it before, if an arrow breaks along the grain line ie down one of the >>>>> lines, there will always be one sharp edge pointing away from your hand, but still one pointing towards your hand- ???
due to the split happening at a very long flat angle, no matter which way you flip the shaft!!!???
help me out here, there has to be something i am missing.
regards
wayne

fujimo · December 31, 2010, 03:29:00 AM

ttt

KellyG · December 31, 2010, 04:42:00 AM

fujimo,
It should make a (string) / (back) and push up and the other point is facing you. Of course the break would be more than a / but I have never seen it happen only pics of when it goes wrong.
Kelly