If the serving is adequate, a copper staple such as one finds holding corrugated cardboard boxes together, can give up some length and make a perfectly good nocking point that is softer then brass. Cut it so that the ends just meet when it wraps around the serving, and line it with a bit of plastic or rubber sheet just before crimping. The best tool is one of those all-purpose wire stripper/crimper tools that electronics technicians use. These will let you shape the copper bit, as well as crimp it into place. Be kind to your serving, and hit well.