I chose to do a red oak board bow because I didn't have time to start a stave bow and finish it (I am slower than a glacier with bad knees when it comes to chasing the final growth ring). I hit the local hardwood supplier and there wasn't anything in the hickory pile worth a second glance. This red oak board was, pun intended, board straight and the grain was flawless. Lastly, I'm an idiot. Four bad outings and I still think I can do it.
What was that definition of mental illness? Oh yeah! Repeating an action thinking you will get a different result. There is a very fine line between nuts and plain stupid, and everyone knows I buy the cheap crayons that don't stay within the lines.