I too enjoy the elbs. I sure have made alot, learned early on, ash is the best choice second to yew, Which I have none. Hickory and balck cherry and some other white woods seem to develop compression cracks, However ash didn't. The ash is not quite as snappy as the hickory, But will out do it in the long haul. I also think it stains really nice. As for the tip , I never cut in to the backing anymore than I have too. What has been said will do nicely. However if you was to dip about the tips an inch or too in glue , I would think that should work, if you don.t have the money for horns. and a tip overlay is a grand idea and will dress up the bow. great job ...Denny in america