Fred, on your question, my understanding is this... and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how I heard it. Peterson inspects their stummels, and upon judging the grain and amount of flaws, dedicate them to the grade or line of pipes set aside for them. So basically, the nicer the grain and quality of the briar (free of pits, fills, etc), the higher line (or grade) of pipes, with some exceptions.