Any drumstick, as good as it may be, has a lifespan according to the time of use and the way it is used.  However, accidents do happen!  Here are a few tips to help you avoid them:

1- When you get your drumsticks, check them over to make sure they do not have any cracks or are warped.  Stay away from sticks that have knots or small holes in the wood, especially on the neck or head.  The pair should be the same length, diameter and weight.  On nylon-tip sticks, the tip should be attached well.  Beware of sticks with humid wood evidenced by large stains, generally greenish.  The surface of the drumstick should not be rough, uneven, or have deep cracks.  The fibers of the wood (grain) should always run the length of the stick.  If the grain runs across, the drumstick will be much less durable.  To identify this problem, observe the ring-shaped or oblique marks along the stick.  Test the drumsticks by hitting them on a hard surface and feel the vibration.  Don’t accept sticks that sound hollow or cracked.

2- At home, in the studio and at shows, don’t store you sticks with anything heavy on them.  Avoid humidity and excessive heat.  If your hands perspire a lot when you play, when you finish, dry your drumsticks with a clean cloth.  Don’t leave your sticks in the direct sun and don’t dry them in the oven!  Leave wet sticks in the shade with good ventilation.

3- As soon as you finish playing, put your drumsticks away in the sleeve.  If you don’t have the sleeve, use a rubber band or anything to keep the pair together.  Playing sticks that have the same amount of use helps to make them last longer.

4- While every drummer has their own stroke and technique according to their musical style, don’t forget that the thinner drumstick, like the 7A, generally can’t take the heavy striking force.  They are made for a softer touch, like jazz, lighter and quicker.  For heavy styles, like hard rock, use a thicker stick like the 5A, 5B, 3A, 2B…

5- Study different rudimentary techniques and their application.  It is quite probable that you can get good volume without too much striking force on both your drumsticks and drumheads making both last longer!