Thinking about making a Hickory or Osage longbow from a split stave and need suggestions on a good draw knife. I have an old one I found in my grandpa's shop but it is in pretty poor condition as it looks like someone beat the back of it using it to split wood and it also has a pretty gnarly convex back running from handle to handle. I'm sure I could clean it up to at least get the hammer marks out but i'm not sure how to get it straight again. Unfortunately where I live in Baton Rouge, the antique (rust hunt) tool market is pretty bare. I would like to get a solid older knife but i'm also open to suggestions for new ones as well. What have ya'll used that you have liked? I like the idea of a Lie Neilson but i don't think I want to pay $170 for a knife that may be used sparingly after this project.
There are lots of options on Ebay, but does anyone have any suggestions of what to look for? Brands? Features to look out for?