MD, if you are going to make a backed board bow (oak backed w/ hickory) you will need to form the core wood first (steam bend or heat bend the flipped tip profile) then glue your backing on. I usually do this when the stock is still full width.....because when you cut out the front profile you will have cleaner joint lines. Option two is for you to glue up the backing strip and clamp it to a form so that it cures into the correct shape. In either case it will be easier if you do it at the very beginning.
You should only need one type of backing, i.e. wood, cloth, sinew, etc. Any kind of paint will work on a wooden bow, as will various stains, and primative finishes (like charcoal and egg or charcoal and grease)....you do want the paint to be compatible with whatever finish you plan on using though.
rich
