Pro Mark PW5BW 5B Classic Attack Oak

These oak 5Bs are my default setting. If I'm playing drums, 95% of the time these sticks are in my hand.

Compared to standard hickory 5Bs they are a little heavier, but what I really like is how much harder and stiffer they are than hickory or maple. I find oak much more durable in the rimshot area (I'm a big guy playing rock and hitting hard) and the cross stick sound is better to my ear too. The best way I can describe the difference is that if hickory is springy and soft, oak is rigid and hard. I like that.

Aside from the difference in material and weight, these are the same as a standard 5B. Fills up the hand nicely and doesn't feel easy to break.

If you like a stick with a lot of rebound, these probably aren't for you. But if you play hard, or you want to try something different, I can highly recommend them.