Slippage

[TooManyHobbies]

While shooting today, after a dozen or more shots, my string slipped off the tip of my longbow just as I released. Scared the bejezzus out of me. No apparent damage to the bow or string, just my nock popped off the arrow and my arrow landed at my feet. Any ideas why this would happen? First time, hopefully last.

[McDave]

Possibly the string was only hooked to one side of the nock?  With a recurve, I have had this happen when the limbs get twisted, but never with a longbow.  Have you been shooting this for a long time, or is it new to you?

[TooManyHobbies]

I think this is my 5th year with it. I'll keep an eye on the loops on every shot now.

[McDave]

I've never heard of a longbow getting limb twist, so hopefully it won't recur again if you keep the loops on both nocks.  Maybe it's time for a new string?

[Butch Speer]

Is it possible the loop is too big?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

There was one brand longbow a  friend of mine had where it happened all the time.  after the second set of limbs broke, He ditched the bow.  limbs were just too flimsy.

I doubt thats your situation since you have been shooting it for 5 years.

[Tim Finley]

Maybe it was a dry fire from the nock coming off??Jumping the string off the end of the bow...Tim

[TooManyHobbies]

Originally posted by Butch Speer:
Is it possible the loop is too big?

I've thought of that. Maybe the string stretched a bit? I think the string is two years old.

 

Originally posted by Tim Finley:
Maybe it was a dry fire from the nock coming off??Jumping the string off the end of the bow...Tim

Thought of that as well, after posting. Thanks for all the replies.
The string looks fine, no wear.
Is over waxing a possibility? I wax the entire string.

[Orion]

I think you dry fired the bow, causing the string to come off.  Mis nocking, or a broken nock, occurs occasionally.  Happened to me once, though my string didn't come off the recurve I was shooting at the time.  Quite a surprising/shocking experience though.  Waxing the entire string would not cause it.

[MnFn]

Mcdave:
I had a well known hybrid longbow limb get twisted.  It was very slight, but if you centered the string in the middle of the bow (visually), you could see it.  It didn't cause any problem that I could see as it was slight.

Not mentioning the bowyer, because I think it may have happened on a trip and gear fell on it in a warm car -something like that anyway.  Bowyer was willing to work with me on it, so no issue with him or with his service.