What is up with Nocks?

[JohnnyBa]

A nock and a string, the two simplest things, but right now, what a head ache. I get the purpose and all that, what I do NOT understand is why one nock works perfect with this or that string, but falls off another and will not let go of another, WTF? I just looked at a random sampling of strings and nocks on 3Rivers and see ZERO reference to this nock gap or string diameter. It came to a head when I pulled one of my daily shooting arrows out of a target and noticed the nock had stayed on the string.  The nocks are GT and the string a Flemish twist D97 FF that I have on all my bows. What is the standard? What is the correct tightness of a nock on the string? I did see references to “skinny” strings, and have read about different strands used but how does one keep up? Are u all heating and squeezing the gap tighter if needed or sanding a bit to loosen. All I know now is that it gives me great concern that too loose or too tight could affect accuracy, a lot. Any thoughts?

[LookMomNoSights]

If you are pulling an arrow and the nock remains on the serving,  the nock is absolutely too tight of a fit.  Nocks certainly do have different diameter gaps and you have to find what works for your served string diameter.  Nock fit is somewhat a personal preference however,  too tight is detrimental to good arrow flight and too lose is conducive to dry fires and arrows simply falling off the string.
Now what we have to deal with, is depending on the shaft you want to shoot,  only certain nocks may be available to use with that shaft.  Sometimes only the nocks supplied.  You have to know the inner shaft diameter you are working with and then check on the manufacturers website and you should find the nock gap specs.  Number of strands in your bow string and the diameter of serving material are more variables you have to consider.  For what it's worth,  the Easton Super 3D nock offers the widest gap Easton has to offer.  Most glue on nocks (Bohning for example) for wood or aluminum will be a larger gap as well.  Serving will compact and decrease diameter slightly after a fair bit of shooting,  but do not rely on that.   A great string from a great string maker, the less chance of this even.  I have sanded out nock valleys,  but it's something I try to stay away from.  I would absolutely stay away from heating,  my personal opinion.

[JohnnyBa]

A great string from a great string maker, the less chance of this even. 

Any of these string makers in northern part of Ga?

[Terry Green]

I love you Johnny.   ... you crack me up. Allison is way prettier than you !!! 

[WVbowhunter]

I just stick to nocks that I have found to work well, the Easton Super nocks and large groove G nocks,  or the Carbon Express .244 nocks

[JohnnyBa]

I love you Johnny.   ... you crack me up. Allison is way prettier than you !!! 

Yeah, pretty sad, ain’t it? Lol.

[JohnnyBa]

I just stick to nocks that I have found to work well, the Easton Super nocks and large groove G nocks,  or the Carbon Express .244 nocks

That’s what I was doing, then I changed string with same same specs from same string guy and arrows were tighter and flight was quite erratic. I queasy string making is going to be my next rabbit hole.

[WVbowhunter]

Johnny, string making isn't too hard its just also not too easy in all seriousness check a couple YouTube videos out and you can get build decent string after a couple attempts as long as you don't care if looks pretty.

[dad]

I use GT nocks and a 16 strand from Three Rivers D97 FF and have no issues. Different serving size is usually  the problem.

[Kirkll]

Typically when you build your arrows, or get new pre built arrows, the first thing most experienced archers do is check the nock fit on the string.

A good rule of thumb is to nock the arrow on the string and let it hang from its own weight. It should stay attached to the string and not fall off. Then gently tap the string with your hand, and it should drop free. That is how I gage the perfect nock fit…

How you go about matching your arrow nock of choice to the string serving is up to you. A lot of these plastic nocks can easily be tightened or opened up slightly with a hair dryer to warm them up without damaging  the nock. But I  personally think it’s best to match the serving size to your nocks…. Use a different serving, or a different nock….

If they are a bit tight on a new string, that’s fine… it won’t take long to shoot in your string and the serving will compress a bit….. It’s all part of the game….

Tell your string builder what nocks you are using, or send him one… Done deal…

Take 2 aspirin and call your string builder in the morning..

[Pat B]

IMO, a 16 strand B-55 string is over kill for a 45# bow. I make my B-50 and B-55 strings 14 strands for bow from 45# to 65# since I started building bows and I know others that use 12 strands for the same with good results. I believe in slightly overbuilding strings just to be on the safe side but more than that it only adds more physical weight where it's not needed.
 I'm using either #4 Bonnell or 400 BYC serving thread.

[Stringwacker]

As you already know, nocks and strings both come in different diameters; making a perfect fit elusive. I do think reserving for a better fit once you know what you need is the best solution. That said, I didn't have the skill (nor was a willing) to learn to reserve the string for nocks that were too loose. I preferred to have a double string nock set that I could run together for a clamp effect on the nock or slightly build up with dental floss. I would say it worked great if it wasn't the fact I dry fired and broke several bows over the years. I suspect that had a lot to do with it.

On the other hand, the use of push in type nocks like the Easton Super nock (when they fit the string too tight) was a simple remedy. I just took an emery board file, folded in half to create two equal sanding surfaces.... and slightly sanded the inside edges of the nock until I had a great fit. Absolutely zero issues in doing that, but I'm not going to say it works on all different nocks.

Like I've said before, it works for me but your results may vary.

[JohnV]

As string Walker has eluded, you can build up the string serving diameter a bit using dental floss.  This works for nocks that are too loose.  If the nocks are too tight, gentle sanding of the nock indentation is probably your best bet.  For old style glue on nocks, you can often dip them in boiling water for a few seconds to soften the plastic and then expand or tighten the nock gap as needed.  The plastic in the newer press fit nocks won’t soften enough to do this.

[Squirrel Hunter]

I think the point of the OP was, why is there no standard for nock throat size or, at least, why don’t they list it in the specs? I agree, it’s frustrating.

[JohnnyBa]

I think the point of the OP was, why is there no standard for nock throat size or, at least, why don’t they list it in the specs? I agree, it’s frustrating.

Yeah, the whole “ why can’t everything be the same” just doesn’t seem to apply to archery. But, besides me complaining about it, all these idiosyncrasies make me love  archery all the more! If it was easy and had instructions that took no brain, then everyone would do it, and frankly, that’s scary, lol.

[Archie]

For what it's worth... Several years ago I saw a thread like this right here on TradGang, and saw someone saying how important it was to have my nocks fit loosely.  I had always used snap nocks, and never had any problems.  But due to that thread, I went out and got some looser-fitting nocks.  I went out shooting, promptly had an arrow fall off the string as I released, and blew up a set of $600 limbs on my Black Widow recurve.  Got mad that I got sucked into trying to gain a few feet per second when I probably didn't have a problem in the first place... and learned a valuable lesson.  Just sharing my experience.

[Gunru]

I don't know the history behind it but for something as critical as good nock fit, you would think the nock manufacturers would focus more on groove size choices. In what little I have learned, you usually with enough research, can find the groove size in inches for a given nock.  Sometimes with tapered nocks like woodies use you can pick a size of nock 5/16", 11/32" etc. with the smaller ones having a tighter groove but there appears to be no standard. Different brands of other type of nocks like pin nocks can have different groove sizes so you have to find what fits your string and stick with it. Not always ideal. You can change your string strand count, composition or serving size. All that said, I use a cup of hot water boiled in microwave to soak nock end of finished arrow in for a few seconds and then either gently pinch with fingers or gently open with screwdriver, then trial fit on string by seeing how it snaps on then point nocked arrow on bow at ground and gently tap string with two fingers. Arrow should stay on and not fall off when pointed at ground but should release when string is gently tapped. A bowyer from England named Richard Head has a good video showing how.

[Terry Green]

For the record, I have used sandpaper to sand knocks and I have also used a small triangular file to file the serving.....

Then I just go hunting...

Googleing the closest Ingles now thanks to you....