Bench Notes

How to Make Your Sticks Last Three Times Longer

By Intranig Lieon·2026-02-04·4 min read
How to Make Your Sticks Last Three Times Longer

Wooden sticks aren't consumables. With ten minutes a week, a good pair will outlast three sets of cheap ones.

1. Wipe them down after every session

Sweat is the enemy. A dry microfiber cloth, ten seconds, every time you put them away.

2. Oil them once a month

One drop of pure tung oil on each stick, rubbed in with a soft cloth, left to cure overnight. That's it.

3. Store them flat, not vertical

Sticks left tip-down in a bag will warp. Lay them flat in a drawer or a roll.

4. Rotate your pairs

Owning two pairs and alternating them will roughly double the lifespan of both.

5. Re-pair, don't discard

If one stick of a pair breaks, send us the survivor. We'll re-pair it from our singles bin for a few dollars.

Filed in Bench Notes · Written at our workshop on Seward Street, Evanston, IL.

← All articles