Hi,
I made 3 self bow ... which were very very ... amateur bow. Since I really really enjoy using all natural material ( as you may see in my friction fire video ) I always cut my staves from trees let them dry and work them out.
I actually really enjoy that way and as soon as I will have a little more experience, that will for sure be my only way to do it.
That said, as I am very beginner I was thinking ... is it better for me to go at Rona and buy some Oak staves and work them ... make my mistake on these staves and learn from it. It is just annoying to make a stupid mistake on a staves I been cutting, splitting, letting dry for month etc.