Cutting string grooves without overlay

[Mista_Bojangles]

Hello all. This is my first post. I've been a lurker for a while now. I've followed the 'so you want to build a bow' build along with quartersawn red oak.  I have the profile cut, as well as the thickness.  I'm going to back with burlap (had just a couple run offs), and just need to tiller.

Now for my question. I'm preparing to cut my string grooves, and I'd rather not add overlays. When cutting my grooves, I've seen not to cut across the back on most resources. However, most cuts I see cross in to the back in some fashion
 Do I cut at an angle toward the belly from the sides and just leave slight grooves on the back as you look at it from above? Am I ok as long as I dont completely make a groove across the back?  Also, on this board bow without overlays, should I run my backing from tip to tip, or stop before the tips?

Sorry if this question is addresses somewhere
 I looked for quite some time and couldn't find a clear answer. I don't want to weaken my bow by improperly cutting the grooves. Hopefully my question makes sense. I can try to illustrate if not. Thanks

[Badger]

   If you red oak is 1/4 sawn as opposed to flat sawn you can cut slightly over the back, leave it appropriately thicker below the nock.

[DavidV]

I use pin nocks on bows without overlays. Or just cut grooves into the side.

[Pat B]

I'd also go with pin nocks or side nocks and not cut across the back. I'm not saying Badger is wrong it is just how I'd do it.

[Badger]

  I use overlays on most everything now because I use fast light strings. I have had then cut right into my limb and split it more than once.

[bubby]

In this build i show how to do self nocks properlyhttp://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,35312.0.html

[Pappy]

I just cut on the sides to meet in the belly and never cut across the back [that's just my opinion] unless I use over lays, Like Badger I usually use over lays so I have no issues.
Most of the time I don't go all the way to the tips when backing unless I have an issue, checks
or some other problem with the last 6 inches or so. Again that is just what I do but either way on the backing is fine.
 Pappy 

[Mista_Bojangles]

Thanks everyone!  Looks like I'll stick to the side nocks and leave the back alone as much as I can.  Bubby, your thread along with Pappy's explanation helped clear up what I needed to know and what everyone else is telling me.  I see that in the third picture of your nocks, you have very slight groove cuts that appear to barely graze the back to keep the string in place.  The bulk of the cut are on the sides to the belly.  Now I can move along.

[Carson (CMB)]

I like a good self-nock, in the pin-nock style. With heavier draw weights and softer woods or woods that like to split along the nutrient path, it is best to round the edges of the pin, so that it is slightly pegged shaped when viewed on end. This keeps the string from stressing the wood along the  nutrient path (edge grain).  Burnishing the areas the string contacts helps too.

[Knoll]

Burnishing the areas the string contacts helps too.

+1

[bubby]

You can also heat a 16d nail with a torch and burn in a smooth groove it works great