Red Oak as Backing?

[YosemiteSam]

Off and on, I've been working on a maple board short bow.  It's currently at 50" and my plan is to get it to about 65# at 22".  My maple backing strip got all warped somehow and wouldn't lay flat so I'm looking for options on how to get it done.

I was kicking around the idea of just finding a good 1/4" red oak strip from the local hardware store & using that as a backing strip.  They only come in 48" lengths so I'd have to shorten the bow a bit more.  The hickory backing strip I received from 3Rivers was about 3/16 thick so I'm guessing that I'll need to sand the oak down a little.

How does red oak compare to hickory as a backing material?  Is this a viable option or should I just stock up on backing strips from 3Rivers?

[Pat B]

I wouldn't use red oak as a backing. You'd be better off with the maple as a selfbow. A maple backing would be good.

[Mad Max]

I wouldn't use red oak as a backing. You'd be better off with the maple as a selfbow. A maple backing would be good.

x2

[YosemiteSam]

Thanks.

[macbow]

Might want to contact KennyM for backing material.
Save a ton on postage alone.

[arachnid]

You can also use WHITE oak for backing. It's very good. Even on dense woods like one.