Drawback to NOT gluing tip overlays????

[snag]

I'm wondering can I just finish shaping the tips on this osage bow I am making now and put a finish on it...or is there a big advantage in gluing on tip overlays? I kind of like the idea of just having the osage tips. But if the overlays makes a big difference it their strength and protection I'll put some on. Just never read where it is talked about.  Thanks, David

[Josh]

the advantage is you can cut the string groove across the back of the bow with overlays but you can't cut through the back without the tip overlays as you would be violating the back ring of the bow causing the bow to fail at the nocks.  Without overlays you would just carve notches in the side of the limbs to catch the string.  I sometimes use em and sometimes don't just go with what the bow wants. 

[Pat B]

Other than what Josh said, tip overlays are mostly cosmetic!

[_Jon_]

With tip overlays, depending on the material, (Bone, G10 etc..) you can use Fastflight String.  The difference between the two strings will simply amaze you.  I know the difference changed my mind on all the bowstrings I will use from now on.  Another advantage I've found is if you don't use tip protectors, you can always replace the overlay if it gets beat up.  As Pat B said also, it simply makes the bow look a little better. 

[snag]

I was thinking of not putting overlays on if I didn't need to. Just wondered if less wood would provide for a quicker tip or if just that small amount of tip weight would make a bit of difference....don't know if it makes must difference.

[JW_Halverson]

An ounce on the tip does more damage than a ton on the grip.  Even if you are using FastFlite, osage really doesn't need tip overlays.  They can look really cool, though, I tend to like seeing them but am too lazy to put 'em on most of the time.

[Holten101]

I find that overlays are needed to keep the tips as narrow as possible...only option in my experience is to eithe cut a groove in the back (not really an option on most woods) or use wrap on "nocks". I have come to refer the latter from overlays on narrow tipped bows.

Some think that overlays looks good....they can, but it is also the first step away from a "true" selfbow and towards "fiberglass mentality" (my own totally biased opinion;-)

Cheers

[Pappy]

I tend to use them on most bows, I thin the wood so they really don't add much if any weight. They look good and do add some protection from splitting if the string gets fared in the nock area. I have seen that happen more than once and split right down the limb of the bow.They really aren't that much trouble to do so I do them on most of my bows now.
   Pappy

[PEARL DRUMS]

I dont believe there are any drawbacks to not using them, I rarely do unless the bow is backed with boo.

[mikekeswick]

Agreed with what has already been. I have been make needle tips a bit recently. Just use really small loops on the string. When these small loops it sort of makes it own groove after a while.

[bubby]

I angle the glueup line from back to belly when i do mine, so really there is no extra weight or bulk at the tip, Bub

[George Tsoukalas]

On osage, I can't think of any advantage to overlays. I almost never use them with the possible exception of yew. I am a simple person. I like simple things. Besides, I like my selfbows to look like selfbows. Jawge

[Justin Snyder]

I like them as tip protectors. I have chipped them before and replaced them. If the tip of the bow were chipped like that it could have been a real concern.