Randy the v splice is overlayed with an 1/8th thickness of maple but not for the integrity of the splice . the tips are cherry which i know doesnt like tension and with this short design i knew there would be high stress on the recurved section of the tips. i didnt trust the cherry grain to hold up so the maple was to help it . in an unbending section of the bow especially the limb tips a v splice is extremely strong and i wouldnt hesitate to use it unbacked