RE: self nocks, reinforced nocks?
At least it sounds like you're headed in the right direction!
I went to a knife show yesterday and bought a couple more horn slabs. I cut part of one up today for a friend that wants to make some reinforced nocks.
They've sure got some pretty stuff for knife handles. Got me thinking... (dangerous)...
If I cut off a little piece 3/8 x 3/8 x 1 1/2 and chuck it into my Makita drill, I may be able to use it like a lathe and turn out a little nock with a stem that will insert into the end of a bamboo arrow. That would be too cool, especially if I made it out of some of the stuff I saw. Can we say turquoise nock?