Stig, it's not always just marketing.
I don't know anything about the Savory brand, but I have two no names that I know are Charatan from the shape, some Comoy seconds and a pre Republic Peterson Shamrock. All are at least good if not great smoking pipes.
I bought a Town Hall, a Comoy second, for $39 off Ebay a few weeks ago. It has one very small, barely noticeable pit. Except for that small flaw, the quality of the grain, the finish and even the color of the stain equal that of my Blue Ribands and most important, it's a nice smoker. I couldn't be happier with it. I consider it a great find.
Looking at the pre Republic Shamrock and the Town Hall, you can see the very high standards pipe makers had years ago. They would not be seconds today.
If they are a second from the well known British brands and older pipes, they are made from the same quality, well seasoned briar. It's just the cosmetic differences that made them seconds. Like others have said, they should smoke just as well as the first line pipes.
Buy them and see how they smoke. If you don't like them, you can always sell or trade them.
