Removing brass nocks

[ArkyBob]

I did a search and couldn't find any info.  What's the easiest way to remove brass nocks without damaging the serving on the string.  I've done it with a screwdriver and needle nose pliers in the past but it isn't easy.  Not looking for some fancy smancy tool, just something that the average guy might have laying around.  Thanks

BOB

[robtattoo]

Pair of dykes. Grip the nock so that one blade is in the 'slot' & squeeze. It opens 'em up a treat  

[Killdeer]

AHA!!
I've always used two pair of pliers. Hate those things!

Killdeer

[freeman]

A $10 set of nocking pliers is something worth purchasing if your going to be using brass nocks. Otherwise it's pretty much the screwdriver and pliers...

[ArkyBob]

Killie, I do too.  Got a Shrew coming soon that has brass nocks on the string..... absolutely the first thing to go.  Rob, when you squeeze the nock does it cut into the serving.  I've kinda done that in the past and not had very good luck.  Maybe I'm squeezing too much straight into the string.  

BOB

[robtattoo]

Just a gentle squeeze is enough. I don't try to open them enough to pop off the serving, just enough to be able to slide them up or down the serving & then pop them off the unserved string.
I've been doing it like that for years & I've never damaged a serving yet! You can see when the slot opens & it doesn't take much.

[ArkyBob]

Thanks Rob. I'll try it that way when the bow gets here.

BOB

[wasapt]

spend the money and a get a nocking pliers, it will save you the cost of damaging a string

[Hot Hap]

I'm with freeman and wasapt. Get a pair of nocking pliers. No worries. Hap

[elkken]

Yep knock pliers, but I stopped using brass knocks. I like tying them on with dacron. Saves ware and tare on my shooting glove too.

[Dick in Seattle]

Yep... nocking pliers are a tool that should be in your kit.  Even if you don't use the brass nocks, someone who did may come to you for help and think how impressed they'll be when you pull out a special tool for the job!    

[free2bow]

I've used wire cutters to thin the brass not necessarily cut it through to the string.  Then the nock was easy to bend off.

[Night Wing]

I use an old Tru-Fire UTC Universal Crimping Tool that crimps and removes brass nocks without damaging the bowstring. I've had it for decades.

[South MS Bowhunter]

I have noc pliers which are great for putting them on the string, but how are they to be used for removing?

[Hot Hap]

Mine has two slots-one for installation and one for removing. The one for removing has a different angle. Hap

[JDunlap]

Ditto that. I have one set of nocking pliers made  by Saunders that has the extra part used for removing the nock and the other set [different brand] doesn't have it. They work real well.

[babs]

Saunders makes a really nice pair of pliers. check them out

[Gordon martiniuk]

very easy use nocking pliers put the slot of brass nock in the center and push straight down bowstring this will open it enough to get a good grip and spread it to get it off the serving it's Just that easy!!  

[ArkyBob]

I don't use brass nocks either.  I use tie on with serving material.  I'm just looking for a simple way to remove them for the very rare time that I buy a used bow that has one on the string.  Otherwise I'll never have the need for nock pliers.  Thanks again.

BOB

[BuckyT]

I have a nock crimper.  Works well getting the nocks off too.

I only used a nock for a short time.  Didn't crimp it hard.  Just hard enough to keep it on the string and loose enough were I could move it on the string to get my nock point where I wanted it.

Once I got my bow tuned, I took it off with the crimper, by crimping on the back side of the knock to loosen it up.  Just like taking split shot weights off a fishing line.

Then I tied a dental floss nocking point on the string.