Unfortunately even high priced artisanal pipes or commissions may have faults. Although as individual pieces, they would go through more vigorous scrutiny before it is sent out.
Dunhills are still factory pieces, despite their higher prices and there may be lapses in their quality control.
All but 2 of mine (both generous gifts) are estates - bought online. The oldest is a birth year 1952 and the youngest a Millinium from 2000.
Perhaps I have been lucky not to have problems with my Dunhills.
But I was very careful when selecting the ones I have.
I think that if Dunhill owners were surveyed, there’d be more yeahs than nays
