Hey all, Im new to the traditional archery side of things and have some issues. I bought a dozen of the Barta arrows from 3Rivers and I hate the nock they put on them...way to lose on the string. So I try steaming the nocks to get them off to no avail, I fear holding over a candle would be disasterous, so how do I get the glue to disbond and get that nock off? Second, what nocks to most of you guys prefer for 11/32 cedar shaft? thanks a bunch.

-Kevin

Instead of taking all the nocks off,put a couple of wraps of dental floss or serving material where you nock to tighten it up a bit(not too tight though)

Go ahead and use the candle. Just be careful and don't light up your feathers. Turn the arrow constantly over the flame, just low enough to heat the plastic and make it soft, not in the flame itself. When it gets soft enough, you can peel the nock off with a pair of pliers and file off the old glue with an emory board.

For me, it's a lot easier doing it that way than trying to cut the old nock off with a knife and risk messing up the taper.

I like the Bohning Classic nocks, myself, but that's what 3 Rivers says comes on the Barta arrows. I'd bet you've got size 11/32, so I'd suggest trying the 5/16 instead. The 5/16 ought to have a smaller throat than the ones you've got.

edit: Or do what JimPic suggests. Another option is to just re-serve the string with a larger diameter serving.

I have not used wood arrows in years, so im kind of shooting in the dark here. First, Id like to know how lose they are. You dont want a tight knock on a trad bow. A good way to test to see if they are truly too lose is; nock an arrow on the string, point the bow down, if it doesnt fall off you are probably ok. I like to loosen my knocks to where they will hold onto the string, just enough to where they will fall off when I tap the string, with the bow facing down. You can also tighten your knocks by heating them and bending them in a bit. Ive done it with boiling water. Just dip the knock in boiling water for a bit, pull it out, and press the two ends together. Mind you, this doesnt alway work with all materials, but ive had success with most all nocks made from simple polymers.

I'd custom fit the nocks with dental floss. When you get the size you want, soak the floss with super glue and it should last as long as the string.

BC nocks are my favorite. There's little if any difference in the throat size between 11/32 and 5/16.

I take old nocks off with a sharp knife and pliers, but you can screw up an arrow if you aren't careful.

Chad

I have some of those arrows , I take pliers to the tabs of the nock's and lightly twist they usually come off. then use a nock taper tool (3r has good ones for cheap) and make 1 rotation if needed to get a clean taper