I've five or six by the same maker, who also sold me my pipe cabinet a few years back. They're all good smokers. The two more wild models I purchased have such nice grain that I don't really regret buying them (even though ninety percent of the time I tend to reach for something more along the lines of a billiard or bulldog); if the briar had been purchased by a high end maker I know I could not have afforded them.
I've got a couple that I really enjoy (good smokers at a great value). The only negative in my opinion are the stems. I just don't really like the feel of them...
I have two Mario Grandi pipes and think they are good smokers. My only criticism is I don't care for the stems. I got a new one made for one of them and haven't gotten around to getting one for my other.