I got turned on to the Chester Thompson stick when I worked for Joe Calato. It is labeled 1A, so maybe the Vater 1A, being the same 17" length is similar? I used these for a few years, probably where I developed my habit of hanging the stick almost completely out of my hand, basically holding onto the last 2 inches of stick. Got great throw and stick inertia, but not so great for intricate fast rudimental playing.
Currently, I love the Vic Firth 5B, and I am consciously choking up on the stick more to perfect my doubles etc. I recently got a free pair of Chester's at his clinic, feel a little awkward now, but I sure used to love them.