As a surface treatment, I wonder how durable that blasted "suede" finish would be if the pipe is knocked around or worse, dropped onto a hard surface? Bet those delicate, blasted interstices will crush and chip out if the pipe is roughly treated. An unwanted chip in that finish will stick out like a sore thumb, and who will be able to repair/disguise these surface defects, since this suede finish is the result of some "secret" process? Also, how long before those delicate, shallow, "lines" fill up with dark, sticky tars, tobacco residue, finger dirt, oils, wax, polish, etc,...especially around those areas that are close to the top of the bowl?
Frank
NYC