Oak is regarded as the most durable of the woods used for drumsticks. Oak sticks are naturally heavier and quite dense in the grain and are known to outlast other timbers such as Hickory and Maple. The downside of Oak is it absorbs a lot less of the stroke impact so they tend to make your hands tire more quickly. The Nylon Tip gives off a brighter crisp sound and makes the stick extra durable. Fantastic for clear definition