I like to rest my briar pipes after each smoke, mostly to use as many as I can, and to justify my PAD. My meershaum/cob and clay I will smoke all I want though.
Welcome to the pipe hive! If you meant Erik Nording, those were blended by McClelland, and as far as I know they have not found a new house to blend with.
I agree, not worth the price point with that drilling. Smoking pipes refunded a Johs pipe for me that had a defect only visible after smoking. That hole looks like it would hinder a totally pleasurable smoke.