I used some antique hemlock on my son's boat. It was a bit tougher to machine and it did not bend all that well, but it was cut from boards that had been used as something other than a boat for 140 years. If it is kiln dried you may experience similar difficulties. To get around these you can try narrower strips, or orient your strips more parallel to the centerline.

The good news is that there was no noticable difference when sanding it next to the white pine, basswood, and poplar (all antique wood) I also used.

If you like it, use it.

Tom