Before I started putting tip overlays on all my bows, I had a bow split just like that, but from the nock groove down. I think the person I gave the bow to only had the string in one groove. Regardless of how it happened, from that point on I have always added overlays. On that particular bow, I then added extra long overlays and a wrap, and that bow has been shooting for years now. The tips are stiff for the last 6 inches or so.