I had several rusticated pipes, along with mostly smooth ones, before I bought my first sandblast. I then was won over, thinking that sandblast was the higher quality finish compared to rustication. As time has gone on, I feel that you take these finishes one at a time. A well-done sandblast, with lots of expressive grain, whether it's deep and dramatic or flowing and subtle, can be beautiful. However, many rusticated finishes are beautifully textured and really lend a pipe a lot of interest. (Carving is another discussion for another thread.) I now feel sandblast and rustication are equal, can be excellent or mediocre or downright homely, depending on how they're done. Do you have a strong preference for one or the other, or do you take them as they come and judge them accordingly?
