what to do with red oak?

[Hermann From Bavaria]

hey guys!

a very kind person gave me a wounderful red oakstave as a birthday present!

so i ask you guys what to do with it! what desings are good for red oak?
i never had it since i build bows.

thank you!

greets

[Pat B]

Is it a stave or board?   I'd say to make it 1 3/4" to 2" at the fades and out 8" or so before tapering to 3/4" tips(to be reduced to 3/8"later) 66" to 68" for 28" draw and a flat belly.
I've made a few red oak board bows. They were backed with hickory. I have not made a bow from a red oak stave.

[Hermann From Bavaria]

yes pat, its a stave. but your tip sounds good!

thanks,

herm

[Pat B]

Herm, If the limbs start getting to thin, take some wood off the sides as you tiller and not just the belly.

[George Tsoukalas]

Herm, post photos if you need help. Plenty in here. Good advice from Pat.    Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

What I would do and have done with red oak is  find a straight grained piece and make a bow. Let it bend in the handle as per the buildalong on my site. Back it, Herman, if you are a beginner. Good choices are silk, linen or burlap. More on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[Hermann From Bavaria]

thank you george for your advices, cool site. my stave ist relatively straight. i dont want to back it, cause i think the rings are thick enough (about 1/4 inch). what do you think about a bow style like dean torges did in hunting the osage bow? i mean light oval lims in diameter instead of rectangular? will it work for red oak?

perhaps i can post some pics of the stave tomorrow, so long!

greets, herm

[Pat B]

Herm, with red oak you would be better with a flat belly. IMO