[Archers] Answer on the Vermil Period Nock Question

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Baron Naran and Friends,

I too have some of the 3Rivers hardwood nocks, but haven't used them yet. I
though they might be close to the applied nock in the famous portrait of
the Bastard of Burgundy, and I've always wanted to duplicate the arrow he's
holding. I may stain mine, and certainly they will get several coats of
polyurethane to seal them up.

I have been using the Vermil Steppe nocks for about three years on nearly
all of my arrows, which are more-or-less period-style. Obviously, these
aren't going to be allowed in a period shoot. Instead I built a set of
self-nocked, whipped arrows with hand cut burnt-orange peacock feathers
(peacocks have orangish feathers on their first molt). I've been saving
these arrows for the period shoot at WoW next fall, and will be happy to
show them off to anyone who would like to ogle them. They're really too
nice to shoot, but that's why I made them, and I can always build more. And
yes, I've read somewhere that peacock and peahen feathers were occasionally
used on arrows in late middle ages England. Though I understand pea foul
doesn't taste good, and is an unusually tough bird, they were a high-status
banquet item. The feathers didn't go to waste.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆


On Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 8:42 AM nicholas m freer <neacalban1 at aol.com> wrote:

> I have been using the wooden hornbeam Nocks sold by 3 Rivers quite  a bit,
> and they seem sturdy enough. They are slightly bulbous, and feel ok. There
> is no indicator. Using a drill bit just right for my string serving
> diameter, I drill a hole at the bottom of the throat, and a few passes with
> some sandpaper through the slot makes a satisfactory pinch nock. I have not
> stained or painted them yet, slideshow that goes.
> I also just got myself  some Jojan nock receivers for the Turkish dock
> feather up/down orientation, so don't be surprised when such arrows appear
> for inspection...😁
>
> Also, working on heavier, tougher arrows, with 6 vane fluflus for the
> Qabak target, to slow them down. Also scheming to add another 5 or 6 feet
> of height to the target.
>
> May Your Herds Increase
>
> Naran, Noyon of Ponte Alto
>
>
> On November 28, 2019, at 5:14 AM, Garth Groff and Sally Sanford <
> mallardlodge1000 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Noble Friends of Bow, and especially our period archers:
>
> After considerable contemplation and consultation with the kingdom DEMs,
> our Society DEM TA, Baron Edward Harbinger, has made a decision on the
> period nock question I raised last year. I don't know where or how it has
> been/will be disseminated, but I will share with all of you what he told me
> in emails this week.
>
> The Vermil-brand Steppe/Chinese acrylic nocks which originally raised this
> question will NOT be allowed in all-period shoots. This includes both the
> glue-on types, and the plug nocks used on bamboo or cane shafts. Only nocks
> made from natural period materials (chiefly horn or bone) will be allowed,
> and of course self nocked arrows. Vermil nocks are certainly allowed in
> open shooting on any SCA range; the ban only extends to all-period use.
>
> Relating to the above, 3Rivers is now offering some glue-on wooden
> hardwood nocks. I specifically asked if these were allowed for period use.
> Baron Edward affirmed that these wooden nocks were definitely legal for
> all-period shoots.
>
> My thanks to His Excellency Baron Edward for taking the time to address
> this question.
>
> Yours Aye,
>
> Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
>
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