I have a huge collection of custom strikers....every imaginable wood or combination of woods and profiles one could think of....made by call makers all across the country. My wife even made a custom roll-up "sleeve" to house them all. Must be well over 50 in that sleeve.
Out of all those, I only use two: Both are somewhat plain looking as far as the lathe work goes, but they feel good in the hand and work the glass or slate like a violin bow.
One is Indian Rosewood made in MS and one is hickory made in AR. I have others made from the same woods...and they produce similar sounds more or less (a lot depends on the profile of the "tip" or "head").
I love walnut too....but I can't get a striker made from walnut to sound the way I want.