Bow-string and arrow nock compatibility

[John Cholin]

Guys & Girls,

I have a question for those of you who have more experience than I. 

I received my new Fox Archery High Sierra this spring which is equipped with a "Fast-Flight" string.  I love it!  But, the arrows I get have nocks that snap onto the older bow strings but don't snap on and hold onto the new bow string.  This makes it way too easy to end-up with the nock slipping off the string during drawing the arrow back and a potential "dry-fire".  So far I have been heating the nocks up in boiling water and squeezing the nocks closed a little using a piece of sheet steel as a gauge.  The process is less than perfect.  Another alternative, I think, is to wrap additional serving thread around the string.  Which approach would you recommend?  Is there another alternative that you know of?  I'm going to have the same issue with the Bear Takedown I just got as it is equipped with a string of the same diameter as the High Sierra.

Thanks for your input.

JMC

[McDave]

A third alternative would be to find nocks that fit, although I don’t know if that is possible.  Probably worth a look.

I have tried both of your solutions, and prefer adjusting the size of the serving, for the reason you mention.  I have never been happy with the results of squeezing the ears of the nock together, and it probably does weaken them some.

You can buy serving in different sizes, and might have to experiment a little to get the correct size.  I think the standard size is about a .021.  It is a little intimidating to do the first time, but really easy once you get the hang of it. If you have a really skinny string, you can double up, like putting a .019 on the bottom and a .021 on top.

[A.S.]

If you want to stick with that string, just have it served to fit your nocks properly.  I have never been a fan of putting nocks in boiling water, or filing them if the fit is too tight.

If you would like, send it to me, along with one of your nocks, and I will serve it to fit properly.

[dirtguy]

I agree. Re-do the serving.  Its not actually that hard to do, check out some you tube videos.

[Zradix]

Good replies thus far..
Depending on your fit...I've found dental floss works well to build up the string at the nocking point.
I do use 2 string nocks for other reasons but an added advantage is I don't have to worry about the arrow nock sliding off the built up spot.

[Pat B]

Heat the nock in hot water and pinch the ears together...or add another layer of serving.

[YosemiteSam]

My nocks and serving rarely agree with each other.  If I need to bulk up the string a little, I'll take the current one completely off, then lay a thread along the entire length of the serving area before starting my wraps.  Adding just that one thread along the entire serving area usually gives me just enough to keep the nock in place without needing to buy an additional spool of thread or attempting a double wrap. 

[Bill from NJ]

Remove the serving from your new string.

Then try to add a few additional strings about 7 inches in length to build up the new serving.
Or, you can use a thicker serving thread winding.

Try your nock fit as you add those additional 7 inch pieces of string you're winding over. Or, the thicker serving thread winding.

Trial and error to get to fit your nock.

Well worth the effort.

I believe archers need to learn to make their own strings, or at a minimum... learn to repair and replace your bows string servings.

A skill worth knowing.

[Rufus]

I totally agree with reserving and adding string underneath or double serving the string.
 I have some synthetic sinew that I can separate into different size strands. That's handy to wrap underneath and serve over.
Like mentioned above, trial and error process.

I've never been good at getting consistency in nocks when I try the heat in water deal.
 Just me there.   

[Charlie Lamb]

I'd suggest calling any one of our great custom string makers. (sponsor list) Just a short conversation will have great, accurate, long lasting and proper nock fitting strings on the way to your house... and can get all you want, any time.  

[scrub-buster]

A quick and easy fix is to serve the area where the nock goes with dental floss. 

[MPaul]

I make my own strings for this reason. I have different size serving and just serve string to fit my nocks.

[kenneth butler]

Absolutely serve to fit your nocks. I serve all my strings regardless of size so they all use the same nocks. >>>-----< Ken