Size of cane/boo arrows.

[Tim B]

I am going to make up some Tonkin arrows and was wondering what size the nock end of the arrows you guys make is? Do you try to keep them around 5/16" toward the nocks or do you go larger?

[Hillbilly]

Just depends on what size of cane spines out where you want it. With tonkin the nock is usually pretty skinny, 5/16" or less.

[osage outlaw]

That is good news.  I picked up a big bundle (24 I think) of bamboo at Tractor Supply today for $2.99, and I was afraid that most of them were too small.  I was thinking that they had to be bigger.

[nugget]

If they are big enough to cut a nock in I try to use them.

[Tim B]

Thanks for the info. I bought a box of 500 and most of the small ends are around that size. They sure straighten real nice with a heat gun and I can't wait to finish some to shoot with my bows to see how well they hold up. The walls are nice and thick so I can't imagine them breaking very easy.

[aero86]

if you make them right, they will hold up.  ive got some arrows that have been shot over 100 times.  ive had some missed shots too, and ive yet to break a shaft.

[Bill Skinner]

Missed shots?  You must have let somebody shoot your bow, was he a compounder?  Bill

[Tim B]

When you wrap sinew under the nock are  you using hide glue to keep it in place or something like superglue?

[sailordad]

when i make primitve style arrows i sue sinew but no hide glue
i chew the sinew to soften it,the saliva in your mouth and the sinew make its own glue
i believe the chewing action release protien from the sinew,this mixes with your saliva and thats how it maks its own glue

after it is dried fro a few days i do use,clear fingernail polish to seal the sinew
i do that just to keep the humid summer weather/damp fall weather from causing my sinew to soften when i am out shooting them

[ozarkcherrybow]

If the nock end seems too small for self nocks, make up some antler nocks to fit into the cane. That is how I make all of mine....Terry

[Tim B]

Thanks for the suggestion Terry, when you make your horn nocks do you file down the end like a dowel to fit into the hole and the outer horn as large or larger than the boo? Also I noticed that when I am spine checking these guys they mostly range from 70-120lbs. Only a small percentage of these guys are in the 50-60lb range. Is this normal with Tonkin?

[ozarkcherrybow]

Yea, I file them down like a dowel, then shape the outer part to fit the particular arrow. I usually use epoxy to set them in (not so primitive, but it works).
 As far as spine goes, I'll pick through a batch and match them as best I can to about 20lbs.  Cane is very forgiving in spine due to its continues taper through the shaft. Some may argue that, but it works for me. I have never tried spines at 120lbs in a 50lb bow though.. I have used spine as high as 75 in a 50 pounder with good results. (self bow that is.)  My last set that I made was tested at a local shoot with guys shooting bows that ranged in weight from 45 to 70 pounds and the arrows were spined between 50-65 (rivercane), and everyone was impressed with the flight. 5 inch parobolic Wild turkey feathers......Terry

[Tim B]

Yeah a lot of them spined around 70-75 pounds and i figured I could sand them to bring the spine weight down a bit and see how they work with my self bows. I taper my hexshafts as well but they aren't so high in spine to begin with. I do appreciate the info and will give them a try.