Do you have to use overlay's on bbo's tips? Mike Smyth

You don't have to..........

Yout don't have to but it is a good idea, also depends on how your nocks are shaped.

Are the overlays to keep nock from breaking or to keep string from catching the edge of the boo and  splitting off a piece of it. Mike Smyth

Depends on the design of the bow I guess.  Dean Torges mentions that in his DVD.  Check that out.

Hunting the Bamboo Backed Osage Bow

Kustom King and Thundervalley Archery have it.

Oogaboogaivegotthelongestnameontradgangchiefwalking deer, you don't have to, but it's good insurance.

To keep string from catching on bamboo.

Bamboo is realitively soft and will saw through with modern string materials.  A layer of ebony or other hardwood is good insurance.

Mike

Thanks for the replies. I put some kind of hard wood on one and buffalo horn on the other. I had backed one with a pair of corn snakes an was hesitant to take off the ends to glue the over lays on. They both turned out good. I will post some pics later. Mike Smyth