Smooth OR Rough Cut

[p40warhawk]

I would be interested to see what many of your preferences are for your individual Pipe Collections, do you prefer smooth, sandblasted or rusticated?

As for me, I have a pretty sizable collection and at least 85% is smooth. I love to see the fine grain, to see that craftsmanship. Of course in some of my rusticated ones, there is true beauty as well...
Dan

 

[alaskanpiper]

If had to choose one forever it would be smooth, although rusticated and sandblasted finishes have grown on me. My collection is probably 80% smooth.

 

[jojoc]

I have about 10 pipes. They are all smooth.

 

[jaytex1969]

I find that the finish on a pipe is at least secondary, if not further down the list, in deciding which pipes to adopt.
Beginning with no plan or goal, I've determined through natural selection that I prefer more traditional shapes and I seem to have a 50-50% split between smooth and other finishes.
I am beginning to support the notion that smooth pipes smoke warmer (shed heat less quickly) than other finishes, as well. Now that my cadence is developed a bit past uber-noob, it's less of an issue but worth mention.
Looking at my first string smokers, I'd be hard pressed to choose a favorite group based on finish.

 

[crawdad]

As someone who grew up in my father’s wood shop, I enjoy the finish of a fine grain, burl and Birdseye so smooth is my preference. But I admit to owning cobs and some rusticated pipes due to price.