One would think "Royal Flush" is the highest grade pipe Becker makes. Apparently not. A basic Royal Flush is defined as straight grain and difficult/inventive shape.
I'm not sure why you'd want spiral carving on straight grain myself. But then again he's Paolo Becker and I'm building piles of scrap briar in my garage.
Here's his grading system.
Clubs (one, two, three, four): Sandblasted
- Spades (one, two three, four): Rusticated
- Diamonds (one,two, three, four): Smooth, usually darker stain
- Hearts (one, two): Smooth, lighter stain; better grain
- Hearts (three, four): Near Straight grain, some tiny sandspots
- Four Hearts Elite: Straight Grain, some tiny sand spots
- Royal Flush: Straight Grain, often a difficult or inventive shape
- Royal Flush Elite
- Royal Flush Elite A
- Royal Flush Elite B
- Royal Flush Elite C: Becker's highest grade
I won't see any communication directed to me here. I'm no longer active at this forum.