If you use a belt sander, try the blue Alumina Zirconia planer belts from Klingspor. It's what I always bought for doing the rattan kids bows. They are agressive and they last a very long time. They have all the way down to 24 grit, so you'd get rid of material fast.
If you are going to do lots of bows, I'd consider carbide, but they are expensive! A lot of guys I know buy a decent blade and throw it away after a couple bows. Just part of what it takes.