Great discusion, with many valid points,
Dell I have felt the same about the limbs hitting home at the same time,IE (Only when string is taunt.) But I think it can greatly affect how the stored energy is absorbed back into the limbs when that happens. Braced profile has much to do with this as well. When those strings hit taunt the wave of energy ripples through the bow and can be absorbed in the balanced middle as each limb cancels the other or it can travel past that point depending on timing. I have watched some slow motion effects and it is amazing to see what the bow goes threw when the string comes tight. This was my point earlier about timing and performance but I didn't want to muddy the water with hand shock theories and other factors