Pro Mark 5A- 16" long, .551" diameter
Vic Firth 5A- 16" long, .565" diameter
Vater 5A- 16" long, .570" diameter
Regal Tip 5A- 16" long, .580" diameter
The Vater has a bit shorter taper resulting in a little more throw than the other sticks (at least that's what my hands tell me). Finish wise, I find Vater to have the most "woody" feel in my hands, Pro Mark being a close second. Regal has their famous glossy finish, typically great for those with dry hands but can be slippery if you're the sweaty type. I think Vic Firth makes great sticks, but I really don't like the finish on them; feels like plastic to me and I actually have a reaction to it sometimes (hands get red and irritated). If I'm using Vics, I always sand the grip area. There are different opinions out there as far as which company makes the most durable stick. From what I've read, the majority of drummers that have used Vater sticks report that they have been the most durable (which has been my experience, as well). Vater sticks have a higher moisture content than other brands (by design), which is intended to make them less prone to breakage. I used to play much larger sticks in the past, but have settled on the Vater 5A as my main stick. Durable, feels great, easy to find.