When I started this project 13 months ago I was wanting to make a Wampanoag Sudbury replica bow. I had several white oak staves that were cut ago before and presumable dry. However, after less than a week this stave took a couple inches of recurve, this should have been a red flag for me, but I proceeded to shave and tiller. When I had it pulling around 20" it would sometimes give that creaking/cracking sound--not breaking. I realized
it was developing a few longitudinal cracks up and down the limb, but nothing serious. I waited another year, backed the bow with linen and decided to wrap it with artificial sinew much like the original Meare-Heath bow.
Final results: I'm glad I didn't give up on this project. After three outings and several dozen arrows no creaks and no problems. The dimensions are nearly spot on the original, and contrary to everything I had heard about white oak taking set and being slow, this is a smooth quick shooter and retains an inch and a half of setback (recurve) in the handle.
Pictures show 42# draw at 26"
