How to Tie in Nock Sets

A nock set is a piece of serving -- nylon string, dental floss, yarn -- wrapped around a bow string. A nock set prevents an arrow from moving up or down on the string as the bow is drawn or aimed. It consists of two knots separated by 1/2 inch, each knot a series of simple loops -- or winds. Tying the nock set is simple. Placement of the set is the critical step. Tying a nock set only takes a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • Arrow
  • Bow square or speed square
  • Server material
  • 1/4-inch tape
  • Scissors
  • Lighter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the bow square on the arrow rest. Center it over the Berger button hole. If you use a speed square, lay the arrow on the arrow rest, nock the arrow over the string, and square it at a 90-degree angle in relation to the string. Mark 1/8 inch below the bow square string-center-line mark. For a speed square, put a piece of tape above the nock on your arrow once the arrow is exactly perpendicular to the bow string.

    • 2

      Lay the bow on its side. Cut a piece of 6-inch server material. Put the length of material perpendicular to and under the bow string. Hold 3 inches of server on each side of the string. Butt the server material up against one side of the tape. Cross the two opposing lengths of the server material over the top of the string and wind one length around the other. This process is the same you use when you begin to tie your shoes. It is not a knot; one length of the server is simply wound around the other length. Tighten the wind.

    • 3

      Take the two lengths of server and pull them under the string, wind one around the other and tighten the wind butting the second wind up against the first. Pull the two lengths up around the top of the string, wind one around the other, tighten as you butt the third wind up against the second. Move from top to bottom pushing each wind up against the next as you tighten.

    • 4

      Add a layer of winds over the top of the first layer. After you have six or eight winds, work in the opposite direction, over the top of the first layer. When you reach the end of the first layer with your second, tie a wind and then loop one length of the server around the other a second time to make a knot. Make a square knot, then cut the remaining length of server off and burn the ends with a lighter. Add a second double layer of winds and a knot on the other side of your tape. Your nock set is complete.