I finally found a local source of hickory boards (what a wild goose chase that was!) but, looking through their stock, the grain patterns weren't very good -- lots of waves, knots & runouts. Do I need to be just as picky with hickory boards as I do with red oak & maple? Or is hickory more forgiving about runouts, waves, etc.?
Yes, don't settle. Straight grained. Tip to tip. No Knots.
I once had a hickory board bow break at a tiny knot.
Jawge
I look at the edge grain. I mean you can allow a few run outs per limb depending on the weight you want but generally look for straight grained stock. Jawge