I am in the same boat as you, and after reading the book now what seems like 20 times, I have begun putting together a core. I am using hard maple and am staying with the books advice - - bark side is the belly. I tried bending the blanks when they were 3/4 in thick to no avail. I have had some success with them when they are 1/2 in thick, so I will add on a piece for the nocks later. I have a few limbs drying as we speak. I did get a little lifting of splinters during the bend at the kasan / tip apex, but the areas will be whittled down later so all seems good. I am unsure if the wood I am using has been kiln or air dried, but based on my results, I assume kiln. I got better results by soaking the blanks in a bucket for a few days before the bend. No doubt the bend would be better and easier if the wood were green or air dried.
Question for you - - when I add the piece on the tip to bring the nock area to sufficient thickness, do you think I should add it on the back or the belly side of the the tip? I have my own thoughts (back side) and was wondering what yours are? Other then the book stating that the extra could be added to fill out the tip at the nocks, it does not say on which side to add it, and since I was unable to bend the full 3/4 inch blank, I will be adding . . . . Russ.