actually, most sticks give players blisters. If held wrongly. Not really due to the strength used to play (although it does contribute a bit. )
When i was playing in my school's concert band, i always held my sticks lazily. i always find out after practice that i've got blisters on my index and thumb (where the stick rests on).
If you think about it, its quite logical. If there's space for the pivot point of the stick to be able to move, more friction can occur rather than holding it firmly in place.
Then you'll ask, "i hold my sticks loosely, but i don't get blisters."
the answer.... You've got thick skin. :lol:
or.... the pivot point on your finger has already suffered enough blisters till its nothing more than a lump of hard skin.
most drummers are the latter.
there are other factors contributing too. like the texture of the stick. I stay away from glossy sticks, as they might tend to slip more.
Slip more = friction.
My theory on blistering fingers.
and btw, I hit myself with the drumsticks too. though not very often. but there are times when you really say, "ah that shouldn't have happened"
there was once i let go of the stick in mid air after hitting a cymbal and the stick just flew back and smack me right on the face.
and I simply swear by LAZER 5A sticks. seriously, its LAZER, but i like it.
No fancy signature sticks (except maybe a mike portnoy one :wink: ).