Does a red oak small pole of wood bend confidently if damp? For a bow..
For a bow..
Answers: All woods when wet will bend easier than dry. It help to use heat also. Red oak would bring in a bow, but hickory would be stronger. The American Indian used wood from a tree the French called beau d'arch, (hedge), which is stronger than hickory. Depending on the strength of bow you want, unless you are going to use it for archery, most any wood would do.
I repaired an behind the times boat and put new wood ribs within it. I used white oak. I boiled water within a pressure cooker and hooked up a rubber hose to the top of the pot. The steam then go into a pipe with the wood inside it. After It get hot with the steam I took it out and bent it into the shape I required. You have to bend it earlier it cools. It was fun! I'm not sure if red oak will work. But I know that white oak is the best.