American Hickory Swing Nylon Tip Drumsticks. Designed in collaboration with renowned educator Steve Fidyk, the Swing model measures just under a 7A in the grip. Hickory is the most popular wood used for making drumsticks. Hickory is denser, heavier and more rigid than Maple. Hickory can also absorb a great amount of shock, which reduces hand and wrist fatigue. Dark, or "brown" hickory, is found closer to the tree's center and is slightly denser and heavier than "white" hickory.