That's correct. A smooth pipe is usually more expensive than a rusticated pipe, even though the rustication is harder and more time consuming. The reason is that a smooth pipe requires a pretty flawless piece of briar, whereas rustication in most cases is used to hide sand pits or small fissures and flaws in the briar. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for the flawless briar even though the flaws have no effect on the smoking qualities of the pipe at all. Much like flawless diamonds , even though the flaw in most diamonds can only be seen with magnification. Sometimes it doesn't make sense, but that's just the way it is. The rustication process is an art in itself and is much more labor intensive than just staining and buffing.
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