i am making some paddle strops out of read oak for the paddle and ballsa wood for the bed, my question is has anyone ever used oak for the bed, i sawed a pice of read oak 1/4 x 3 x 15 and put it on the oak bed it looks just as good as the ballsa, it took a good sanding and is just as smoth as the ballsa, i am wondering if it would have any draw backs it being oak .