Anyone ever build a red oak backed hickory?
A friend has a hickory stave that came in too light. I told him he needed a backing, which would increase weight and induce some reflex. He ended up buying some red oak to back it with. Will he have problems. I know that Hickory is pretty good in compression and real good in tension, but is red oak to weak in tension to handle the compression force of the hickory?
I think I'd have to find something else. Seems that for the $15 or so you pay for a decent piece of bamboo or a good hickory backing is worth it. I've used red oak twice as a backing for a red oak belly and was disappointed both times.