I recently picked up a Martin Mountaineer ML- 14. The top limb has a slight twist, nothing major but also slightly visible when strung. My string is slipping out of the nocks after a single shot. Not so much that its going to fall off but enough to start fraying the string.

I posted on a FB group and got mixed feedback with twisted limbs, vs uneven nocks on the tip causing the slight visual twist, and even string loops being too large and thats why its "slipping" because the twist isnt enough to even matter.

I was wondering if there were any Bowyers in Ohio willing to help me out. If its a twist issue can it be fixed since its a very mild one at that (see photo). Or if its the uneven nocks just file those out to fix that issue?

Any help would be appreciated as always. Photos are attached

Hopefully this photo is better

String seems centered on the bow in the pix. The limb still could be twisted, but it would require a different fix than an adjustment to the depth of the nocks. Can't see the size of the top loop, but the bottom loop doesn't look too large.

Not sure I understand what you mean by the string slipping out of the nocks at the shot.

I'm with Orion. Do you mean the bow is coming unstring when you shoot it?

How about a profile pic with the bow strung, it's probably me but something seems off.

Okay Sorry for the bit of confusion.

The string in these pictures is the original string from the 80's. I strung it up just to see if the smaller loops made a difference, but i didnt pull it back because the string is ancient and i didnt know if that was smart or not. The gentlemen i got it from said the string definitely needs replaced. The loops on the old string are definitely smaller than the new custom one.

Mike E. What do you mean by a profile pic? Like from the side? front, etc?

Here is a new picture as well as one below.. You can see if photo 1 the string is set in the nock perfect from being strung.

In the next photo you can see the string on the right side of the photo is sliding to the right side out of the nock. In both photos you can see the string is frayed from rubbing the edge of the bow outside the groove. This happens after 1 shot. I took about 20 shots before noticing and the bow didnt completely unstring, but once i noticed i didnt want to keep shooting and risk any more damage or danger.

I can also post photos of the loops sizes if that helps anyone.

It kind of looks like that one limb has a severe hinge. I guess it could be the angle.

Here is the 2nd photo showing the string sliding out of the groove to the right of the photo. Compare to the photo above

The new custom string loops size is this photo and the next

This one is the top loop

Sorry this is the top... Above is the bottom

OLD String loop size Top Here

Old string bottom loop size

In general the old string is much smaller

Here is a new photo of the top limb tip strung close up to see what i see as the twist. The first photo is close up. Second is zoomed out but at the tip you can see the side wall of the tip on the left side as its twisting to the right in the image.

So flip thecstring and Try it.

Last photo of the night. Zoomed out but more clear of the limb tip

I really do appreciate the input.

Hope that You can get this resolved and QUICKLY!

I have had several bows with very slight twist that shot fine otherwise, first thing I would do is make or get made a proper fitting string for the bow.

If you’re up for it you could simply untwist that string and make the loops tighter, self reliance is good thing.

A longbow limb is very hard to twist but it may have been made that way? Is this an old or new bow?

There could be two reasons for the string coming out of that string groove at the tip. One, you are torqueing the grip thus twisting that limb. Two that string groove was not made properly. A bigger loop at the string ends shouldn’t be an issue unless really large which yours doesn’t seem to be.

Would like to see a picture of said limb tip without a string in it? Want to just see the string groove/notches.

I'd also like to know ofvthem bow is coming unstring or the string loop is just coming out of one string notch or the other.

To answer a few questions:

@Kelly The bow is old, from the 80s. I will grab a photo of the top limb unstrung in a few minutes and post below.

Also @FDP the bow is not coming unstrung, but rather the string loop is coming out of 1 side of the notch and not the other.

I think making the loops smaller will pretty much solve your problem. The string looks precarious on the top limb after being drawn, but the notches are cut deep enough that it's unlikely to come off, regardless.

As others have said a small twist in the limb won't affect its shoot ability. BTW, in my opinion longbow limbs rarely develop a twist. They are more likely built in by the bowyer taking off more material on one side of the limb or the other and/or by cutting the nock depth unevenly. If the nock depth on the affected side isn't as deep as it is on the unaffected side, you could file it a tad deeper.

The "twist" you see at the end of the limb tip may be uneven shaping of the limb tip rather than a twisted limb. If the limb is twisted, it has to be out of alignment from side to side where it's twisted (easiest to evaluate by looking over the back of the strung bow facing the limb tip away from you). If it's not, then it's just a limb tip shaping issue.

After looking, it does seem like the tip is just oddly shaped more than anything. Also to my eye the nock depth on the right side (when looking at the front of the bow) looks to be shallow in compared to the other.

Here is a photo of the tip unstrung front of bow.

Here is a photo of the tip from the back side

Grab a round file and even it up

Yep, looks like a little file work would clean it up nicely. Still need to make the string loops smaller. If you don't know how to undo and redo a flemish string. Just wrap serving thread abound the base of the loop, up about a half-inch or so until you get the size loop you want. Good idea to order a back-up string as well.

Im going to order a backup string with smaller loops.

I took @MnM's advice and untwisted that sting to make a smaller loop. Now the top loop is smaller than my bottom loop but after a few practice draws it didnt seem to slip at all. I will also get a chainsaw file and work on evening that tip up in the meantime.

Im not sure if my first flemish twist job is the best so when i order the new string i will use that and keep this modified one as a backup.

I will keep this thread alive with my file job and the new string to see how it all comes along.

You won't need to do much filing. Go slow. Good luck.

Update so far. With the smaller loop on the string i put a dozen shots through it and the string didnt budge at all. Looks like that is all it really needs. Might still tackle the filing job but for now im going to see how it holds up after some more practice shots.

Thanks again for all the help

If the tighter loops fixed it , skip the file and be happy.

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