Anybody have a timberhitch get loose???

[bigcountry]

Was tillering an osage bow last night.  I have a loop on one end, and a timberhitch on another.  Strung up the bow, and was checking tiller with my gizmo.  All the sudden, bow snaps out of my hand, smacks me in the jaw. 

Some how the timber hitch side has 4 strands broke and slide down the limb like a "looped" side.  It tore a small crack from the inside of the nock down 1".  I had to shorten the bow limb by 1".

Still can't figure out what happened.

[bowstring]

   Bigcountry,
 I'm not an expert, but it sounds like you had a sharp edge in the nock. Happened to me once! Or, you had a tiny fracture in the nock, and the pressure on the string sheared it's way in and cut the string,,, One way to help prevent this is to rub nock grooves with a Q-Tip, or cotton swab. any snags or rough spots will really show up!! "bowstring"

[Pat B]

I have used a timber hitch for many years and never had one come loose. I have had them slip a bit. Sounds like your nock gave loose. Will you post a pic of the tip?

[bigcountry]

I already cut and fixed it.  I designed this one with 1" longer or so tip limb.  Guess they now will be even.

After going over and over it, here is where I think I screwed up.  Number one my nocks ere sharp with respect to the bow back.  Two, I just got done adjusting the hitch to get my tiller to 5".  So I bet I didn't check on it again.  And one side fell off and the othe was only holding with 4 strands.

Another lesson for the toolbox.

[George Tsoukalas]

Nope, don't use them.  Got plenty of bow strings that I tiller with. big, I don't finish up the nocks until the bow hits full draw. I don't think you did anything  wrong  except may be not cut the nock deep enough. Jawge

[Jesse]

I have had an edge of a string groove crack because it was too sharp while building the bow. Never had a timber hitch come loose. I know they dont like to hold with fast flight strings quite as well but thats what I use and it works for me

[ricktrojanowski]

Only when I tied it wrong.

[bigcountry]

Only when I tied it wrong.

Another good possiblity. 

[Pat B]

I think it would be impossible for a timber hitch to come out.  It may break or untwist if laid wrong.
  After the break was the knot still a knot?