Longbow nock and arrow questions
 

My first question is: If I get a longbow without a nock, can I put one on by "eyeballing" the correct ? Or do I need to have it done by someone who knows what they are doing?
Second Question: I understand that different draw lengths and draw weights play a factor in which arrow to get, but what about the fletching? Can I get stuff off the shelf at my local store or do I need someone to custom make them. Thanks guys

RE: Longbow nock and arrow questions
 

Get thee hence to the bow shop and buy a bow square. Clip it on the string,slide it down the string sothe blade rests on the bow's shelf and then measure up about a half inch up from square. That'sa good starting point for a nock point. Then youcanmove itup or down from there, in order to fine tune your arrow flight.

Most of us use 5" feathers for fletching. I like shield cuts better than parabolic cut, but either will do fine. Unfortunately, ifthe shops in your neck of the woods are anything like those around here, mostshops only carry vanes and no feathers at all. You can order them online from Kustom King or 3 Rivers.

With feathers,you have to be aware that right wing feathers can only be fletched with right wing clamps, left wing only with left wing clamps. Straight offset clampswill work with either, but right wing would be offset to the right, left wing would offset to the left. It makes no difference which wing you use, but be sure to have the correct ones for the clamp in your jig and don't mix left/right wing feathers on the same arrow.