No... it split down into the ipe as well. No grain run off there. The hickory just failed. This happened while I was bracing it. It was going great. I had it to a low brace of 4". Bending nice. One limb was just a bit behind. No biggie. 
I was really struggling to get it braced. I had just got it there, and I heard a 'tick.' I honestly thought it was the string falling into the nock groove. 
I guess that answers my question about the tip design. The backing failed before the tip, so I'm good to go on that front. I can say, I have never had a backing failure like this with hickory before, and I can't blame it on a grain run off. 
I'm choked. I can't believe it. Feels like someone just punched me in the guts. This design is making me crazy. Shaking my confidence for sure, never mind burning through material and my time. I can't believe it. 
Oh well, I'm not giving up. Back to square one.