Funny, the new sticks I'm having trouble with are unfinished. The finished sticks are no problem. Everybody is different.

When I was having similar issues I sanded the finish off.

That did it for me.

I used to have a pair of sticks Lars Ulrich left in our practice studio back in the 80's.

The bottom of the sticks were wrapped in green surgical tape.

Back in the day I would take sandpaper to my sticks and/or wear batting gloves. Now I use the Zildjian dipped drumsticks.

Hi you all. Not my intention resurrect this thread, just share my method.

I had slippery problems as well. That was solved with magnesium chloride. This is what mountain climbers and gymnasts use to improve the grip despite sweat.

Dilute it with water at 50%. Store the mix in a bottle (glass better than plastic) and you'll have enough for years. I have a little spray bottle and refill it from the main glass one. Spray a little amount in your hands and rub them till it's absorbed. You will feel the difference immediately. When you finish your rehersal/performance just wash your hands (if you want to, magnesium chloride is not toxic at all).

I don't know where magnesium chloride can be purchased in the U.S.A.

Here in Spain is available at herbalist's shops. Hope this helps.

Whatever happened to Lars`sticks?

Cheers

As I have gotten older, my hands (and skin in general) are very dry. I was getting splits in the skin near my fingertips. I started using O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream to repair the splits. I discovered that this product makes your hands slightly tacky if you use a little more than what rubs in immediately. I now carry a container of O’Keefe’s in my trap case and use it before each gig and practice. Works for me!

I have been making my own stick-grip wax for decades.

Go to the grocery store and buy a couple of boxes of PAROWAX brand paraffin wax. This wax is used for sealing the tops of Mason Jars for food storage. Also buy a small container of solidified coconut oil. Melt one box of PAROWAX in a saucepan on a stove set to medium heat. When it is fully liquefied, add ONE heaping tablespoonful of the solidified coconut oil to the heated PAROWAX. Stir gently until fully dissolved in the liquefied PAROWAX. Carefully pour the liquid mixture into a conveniently sized plastic container. Let sit for two hours. Pop the solidified mixture out of the plastic container. Rub your drumsticks with the solidified wax mixture until well coated. PLAY.

Note: The amount of solidified coconut oil can be varied according to the ambient temperature in which you are playing. The lower the ambient temperature in which you are playing, the more coconut oil you add to the mix. I have made four stick grip wax mixtures for each of the seasons.

I get that stick wrap stuff from D'Addario, and I rarely drop a stick anymore.

The finest grit sandpaper wrapped around the stick works too.

I gave them to a friend that was a bigger Metallica fan than I was. The green tape disappeared several years ago.