Hand Fletching Wood Arrows

Step 2: Adding the knock

The first step is to add a nocking point to your arrow. There are two ways you can do this: you can buy plastic nocks and glue them to the end of your arrow, or you can cut nocks into the end of your arrow (self nock). I chose the latter as it is more authentic to the period.

To do this you will need to utilize your hack saw and file set. Clamp your arrow to your workbench. With your file (I used the triangular file) file a starting groove for your hack saw. Make sure that this is perpendicular to the direction of the grain of your arrow. (A) After that, cut down approximately half an inch with your hack saw. (B) Use your hobby files to widen the cut until it looks like image C . Ignore the string at the base of the nock, that is from a later step. Use your sandpaper to smooth out the nock, remove any splinters or rough edges, and slightly taper the entrance to make nocking easier.

If you're like me and do not have access to a workbench, I was able to cut my nocks by holding the shaft between my knees, stabilize it with my left hand, and cut the nock with my right. You will have to turn the shaft 180 degrees every few strokes in order too make sure the cut does not angle to one side of the shaft or the other.

At this point you can stain your shafts whatever color you like and add whatever finish you like. I used Tung Oil to make my arrows more resistant to the elements.