Hickory Boards - Reading the Grain

[YosemiteSam]

I finally found a local source of hickory boards (what a wild goose chase that was!) but, looking through their stock, the grain patterns weren't very good -- lots of waves, knots & runouts.  Do I need to be just as picky with hickory boards as I do with red oak & maple?  Or is hickory more forgiving about runouts, waves, etc.?

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, don't settle. Straight grained. Tip to tip. No Knots.
I once had a hickory board  bow break at a tiny knot.
Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

I look at the edge grain.  I mean you can allow  a few run outs per limb depending on the weight  you want but generally look for straight grained stock. Jawge