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Pre 14thC bulbous English arrows.
davecrocket:
Hi there.
I am new here and I am interested in longbow and arrow history. I have tillered myself a pair of longbows (100 and 110lb@32") and love making my own arrows. I am very interested in the history of bulbous nock arrows and now I want to make some.
I don`t want to get tangled up with the heads used just yet (no pun), but if anyone has any suggestions on the main body of the arrow I will be so grateful. Also any historical evidence written or otherwise. I do alot of reading and searching for this subject, but have found it a bit thin. I am sure I must have missed a few references.
I have started off with a half inch straight grained ash shaft. I don`t know how long the fletchings should be before I bring the arrow back up to fatness after the nock. I am going to use four goose primary wing feathers, but don`t know if to strip or cut. I have decided there is enough evidence to fit them into grooves. This may point to the cut and grind fletching maybe. Also for my first attempt I am going to have the thickest part of the arrow near the front and taper off in both directions.
If any of you have "Gut feelings" on how they should be made or thoughts on probable performance etc, I would very much like to know, as written evidence seems so rare.
Thank you very much for taking time to read this and any comments on this subject will be appreciated.
Dave.
Ian.:
Hi Dave
There is a good book you may be interested in its called Toxophilus, cant find the online copy some one will know where it is.
As far as arrows if you want to make them in the medieval pattern then a good starting place is
http://wvw.englishwarbow.com/making-blbs-standard-arrow.html
I would point out that you dont need four feathers on an arrow it will increase drag but not effect anything else.
Oh and tapering from the head to the nock is called bobtailing
davecrocket:
Thank you Ian for taking time to help me. I have struggled through Toxophilus a few times, but Asham seems to go on about 16thC archery. He did give me the idea of ash though. He reckoned arrows should be made of ash "not like these days".
I am interested in war arrows pre 14thC. There are a few carvings around the place, but the bulbous nocks seem to be much exaggerated.
The site you recomended is very good, but again seems to be post 16thC.
Thank you again Ian.
Dave
Rod:
I guess you are talking about the type of nock shown on some illustrations of target or hunting shafts, such as those shown on the Wilton Dyptich or in the Lutrell Psalter.
Does anyone have any evidence or rationale as to whether these would be built up or worked out of an oversize shaft?
There is evidence of both methods in other cultures making nocks of a similar appearance.
There is also some visual and written evidence about other feather types or styles, as well as specialised bulbous heads for shooting at butts.
Rod.
davecrocket:
Thank you Rod for your kind reply.
It had never occurred to me that a bulbous nock could be built up after the arrow has been made. In the old pictures it is so hard to tell. Also I have read the same account as you but can`t remember where from. You definitely know what I am trying to say though!
Anyway, I have made a very rude bulbous knock arrow and plan to loose it today or tomorrow. I have used ash, but not half inch, more like 3/8". I did this so it could be roughly compared with other conventional arrows I have. It`s a very basic design with the the four 2.5 inch fletchings sat in a very narrow (2/8") part of the shaft. The shaft then comes back up after the fletchings (as quick as it came down) to it`s original thickness at the nock giving me my bulbous nock. Don`t hold your breath though. It doesn`t feel right. I will at least see if I can dispel or confirm the bulbous nock was just there for the pinch grip. I can`t see me being able to pinch the nob at 100lb-with or without gloves. But I will try. The fletchings are elongated swine-back, and they seem too long! I will also wear brown trousers because of the narrow part of the arrow.
Something else has occurred to me. If I take a Turkish arrow and saw the end off at it`s thickest part, this in effect would become a bulbous arrow. Maybe I should base me next arrow on that design.
Dave.
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