This does not make hickory better or worse than oak. It's just different. That difference becomes a personal preference for the drummer. Japanese oak, being more dense, is a harder wood which will normally take more wear, tear and punishment. Many drummers like maple because they can have a relatively large diameter stick without the weight that would normally be associated with a larger diameter stick.
Maple is much less durable than hickory or oak.
Our nylon tips are guaranteed not to crack, chip, break or fall off the stick. Comments or questions, call us.