Wood Selection for Making a Red Oak Longbow

I show you what you will need for my red oak bow build along as well as tips on picking a good bow stave.

List:
72 inch piece of red oak 1 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 inch thick
12 inch piece of red oak bow 1 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 inch thick for handle.
two pieces of red oak 2 inches long by 1 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick for tip overlays.
titebond wood glue or similar wood glue
 at least 3 clamps but 5 are better.  I used three 3 inch C clamps and two 2 inch C clamps
60 grit sanding paper
120 grit sanding paper
220 grit sanding paper
and higher if you want.
Deft semi gloss, gloss or matte wood finish depending on what you prefer (or any other similar spray finish.
a 4 way wood rasp
a sanding block
a stanley sure form
A tillering tree
b-50 dacron for the flemish bow string

Optional but will help immensely:
bench sander
band saw
jigsaw if your good at using one.  I am not.

And last but not least:
some garage ingenuity
spit and grit
elbow grease
patients (lots)
and Icandoitativness.  Not a real word.  I made it up.