Here is your award for most useless comment on this thread LOL
I've been smoking mainly reputable briars up to this point(10 years give or take) and thus consider myself decently well-versed with them. I also stated that this was my first attempt with pipes made of cherry and was hoping to determine if I was missing something, having no prior experience with cherry wood specifically. The pipes in question aren't props, they're made to be functional and come in briar wood as well. But there is still a chance for you to be useful on this thread: why not post a link to one of these "reputable brands" and I'll take a look?