I've got over 30 briars in my rotation. All of them are good smokers [which is why they made it into regular rotation] Most were won on ebay at very reasonable price [some were absolute bargains]Good tobacco, of course, requires a good pipe. But what different experiences will different pipes (materials, shapes) bring?
There's also six Missouri Meerschaum cobs that are in daily rotation that smoke every bit as good as my briars. [Buy MM cobs with a hardwood insert at the base of the bowl like the Country Gentlemen]
Some of my favourite briars are NOS [new old stock] antique briars from 60-100yo that I bought on ebay for very reasonable price.
Here's one of my favourites, a French Skippy Prince Panelled Bulldog that I paid around $30usd.
Here's a 1980s Italian Venini Apple [One of seven Venini's NOS that averaged around $35usd each that I won on ebay. All are good smokers]
Just two examples of the many pipes that I won on ebay, which goes to show that one does not have to spend a lot of money for a well crafted pipe.
A point about ebay though. After learning the hard way by buying two estate [used] pipes that were crap, I only bought from professional pipe dealers from then on. [Mostly from two German dealers because postage was 1/3rd the cost than from the U.S.]