I have a very unusual pipe! It is hand made by Vicar’s pipe, and is carved out of a plateaux block, and carved in line with the grain so it is a straight grain pipe.
On the other hand, the pipe does not have any asthetical symmetry. Looks like an ordinary pipe maker was lucky to get a straight grain block.
Then there are briar defects - I have not seen defects in the briar like this in any other pipe I own : The carver did not work around the defect
Finally, after I purchased this pipe, I learnt about Murphy’s oil soap, and this was the victim - I removed the stain.
So quite eccentric.