After significant forays into Ahead, Hornets, Pro-Mark, Vater, Vic Firth, and Zildjian, I have found several sticks that I would not hesitate to buy again. They include the following: Hornets 7A, Pro-Mark 707N and 707W (Ed Shaughnessey), Vic Firth Dave Weckl, and Vater Stewart Copeland. Vater proved to be the most durable hickory models while Pro-Mark's Japanese Oak were the most durable overall (while Ahead's aluminum/plastic hybrid is in a class of its own - although it's an unplayable class)
But if I had only one stick to buy for eternity, it would be the 16" X .540" Round Bead Wood Tip Vater 7A Manhattan. Just a wonderful fit, balance and sound.