Grunter....I've used them and still do, though I mix it up between the oak 5B and the hickory 5B. I really can't tell much difference, but will say, rather than chipping like hickory, the oaks just break. Off goes the tip plus an inch or so down the neck. BUT...I can get at least 2 weeks out of them before that happens.
As a side note, I have used a bunch of brands and will say, the most durable sticks for me are Vic Firth. Zildjian(same as Vics) are number 2, then I'd say ProMark.
BEWARE:.....there's a company on eBay that sells bricks of 5A or 5B oaks for $24. I made the mistake of buying them and I don't know where the oak came from, but it was so light weight I'd break a pair every 30 minutes if not sooner. AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH