At ProOrca, we've been working with wood since 1984. We've seen it all: ash, maple, oak, composite straight from the lab... but there's one we keep choosing, again and again: hickory.

And it's not just because it smells good when you turn it. It's because it has it all. The bounce, the solidity, the feel. In short, the perfect combo for making chopsticks that slap—literally and figuratively.

1. Wood isn't just a support — it's the groove upstream

Before your stick cracked a rimshot that knocked the bassist's glasses off, it was a tree. And that tree, depending on its species, density, age, and even how it dried... will sound different.

• Denser = more attack

• Softer = more bounce

• Too stiff = vibration in the wrists

• Too light = it hits the air... and breaks more easily!

And we didn't invent this, researchers at Purdue University conducted a study on the vibration of drumsticks, isolating more than 100 wooden models, some enriched with synthetic materials. They measured the vibration modes , density , and shock absorption rate depending on the type of wood used. Result: the denser sticks had higher frequency vibration peaks, ideal for percussive attacks, while the more flexible models offered a more pronounced rebound , especially on ghost notes. We feel it every day in the workshop. And above all: you feel it as soon as you play .

2. Hickory, maple, oak… it’s not just a matter of taste

• Hickory : This is our heartwood. Dense but not too dense. Solid but not brutal. It takes it, it absorbs it, it grooves.
  This is the wood we use for all our scales. And not just because it's "classic." Because it's the wood that respects your hands and your sound.

• Maple : light, fast, agile. Perfect for those who want control and nuance, but be careful: it breaks quickly if you hit it like a lumberjack (we have the names...)

• Oak : the toughest of the trio. It's loud, it weighs a lot, and it vibrates like an anvil. Raw sensations guaranteed. Your wrists? Not so keen.

3. Who and what is hickory?

Hickory is a member of the walnut family. It grows slowly, lives a long time... and is a powerful tree (which is a good thing). It's found primarily in the United States, in sustainably managed forests.

Why do we prefer it at ProOrca? Because this wood:

• Provides ideal medium density (between 800 and 880 kg/m³ depending on the area)

• Absorbs vibrations well → less fatigue

• Shock resistant → guaranteed longevity

• Maintains an ultra-natural bounce → immediate sensations
  
  

There are 3 main areas in the trunk:

• Dense core : for the hardest sticks , with a dry attack and increased weight

• The intermediate zone : the perfect balance (the one we favor)

• Softer sapwood : less used, because less stable over time
  
  

And that's where the real know-how begins: knowing which zone your wand is turned to...and why.

4. A wood that plays with you, not against you

Hickory is dense without being too heavy. Solid without being rigid. It can handle 2.5-hour sets, doesn't flinch during furious rimshots, and stays gentle on your wrists even when you're not being gentle on your drums.

His strength? He respects your playing. He doesn't cheat. He reproduces exactly what you play, with nuance, precision, and a warm, subtle quality that thrills the audience (and the sound engineer).

5. No need for nail polish or blah blah

At ProOrca, we don't varnish our drumsticks . Ever. The wood is left raw for better grip, control, and feel. And with hickory , there's no need to do anything else, and since it naturally absorbs micro-vibrations, you can play longer without tensing up. Even after three encores and a slightly overly ambitious solo, your wrists will thank you.

6. And what about the planet?

We select ourhickory at the source, using traceable, responsible supply chains, and without exotic woods unknown to the rest of the world. No overproduction, no greenwashing.

At ProOrca, every hickory bar is weighed, tested, and sorted . We don't choose at random. And we don't just send you a piece of wood in a hurry and tell you "it'll be fine."

Our chopsticks are matched by ear .
Because two sticks that weigh the same but don't sound together... that's a no-go. And then, a wood that doesn't snap, that resonates poorly, or that breaks in two repetitions: not for us.

7. In summary:

Hickory isn't just a material choice. It's a commitment. A sound foundation. A wood we know by heart, and one that continues to surprise us. It connects your hands to your sound, between what you imagine... and what you play on the drums.

Do you see the groove? He goes through it too.

At ProOrca, we don't just make drumsticks. We make hickory—real, good hickory.