The biggest differences you're going to notice between a $400 handmade and a $400 factory made is overall comfort and subtle changes to the overall pipe to make for a better smoking experience. The outside of the pipe is the 'end all be all' for pipe smokers when they consider a pipe; I find that a pity, because there is so much more value in finding a pipe where the extra care is taken to ensure a great smoke. If we're weighing scales in this debate between handmade vs. factory, I'll argue that it's not the big bags that will tip the scale one way or another-- it's many small bags. For example:
The individual pipe maker will spend a lot more time on his stem work to ensure it's slim and comfortable but also durable. He'll take the extra time to funnel the slot to allow for a less focused smoke stream (more smoke over greater area means less focused steam and more area exposed to flavor). If he's clever, he'll even sand and buff the interior of the airway so the smoke doesn't condensate in microscratches from drilling. He'll add a personal touch to his shaping and accent materials. He won't allow sloppy work: no light gaps in the stem/shank area, no burrs in the interior of the shank, a tight fit for the tenon/mortise juncture. I'll make the case that a handmade pipe is built to last, improve smoking experience, and be a cherishable item vs. being simply an item that has to sell.
I doubt you'll find much of what I described above in a factory pipe of equal worth. I haven't found any of those qualities in the Castellos, Ser Jacopos, Stanwells, Caminettos, Nordings, Brebbias, or Savinellis I've owned and later sold. It's not that they were BAD pipes, don't get me wrong. They just didn't smoke as well as the handmades I own. Better they find a place they'll be used and appreciated.
The individual pipe maker will spend a lot more time on his stem work to ensure it's slim and comfortable but also durable. He'll take the extra time to funnel the slot to allow for a less focused smoke stream (more smoke over greater area means less focused steam and more area exposed to flavor). If he's clever, he'll even sand and buff the interior of the airway so the smoke doesn't condensate in microscratches from drilling. He'll add a personal touch to his shaping and accent materials. He won't allow sloppy work: no light gaps in the stem/shank area, no burrs in the interior of the shank, a tight fit for the tenon/mortise juncture. I'll make the case that a handmade pipe is built to last, improve smoking experience, and be a cherishable item vs. being simply an item that has to sell.
I doubt you'll find much of what I described above in a factory pipe of equal worth. I haven't found any of those qualities in the Castellos, Ser Jacopos, Stanwells, Caminettos, Nordings, Brebbias, or Savinellis I've owned and later sold. It's not that they were BAD pipes, don't get me wrong. They just didn't smoke as well as the handmades I own. Better they find a place they'll be used and appreciated.