Why are Root Briar Pipes Generally Cheaper?

[frozenchurchwarden]

Sandblasting or rustication are what pipe makers do with less than perfect stummels.

If they start off making a smooth and discover flaws, blasting or rustication will disguise those flaws and make it saleable without the need of filling in the defects.

Very, very occasionally a maker will see a "perfect" piece and go "wow, this will result in a great ring grain" and blast it. If it happens, expect to pay as much or more than one of his smooth pieces.

Crazy thing is you can find a lot of amazing ring grain in factory pipes, and a lot of smooth factory pipes with Plateau that would undoubtedly provide good ring grain but they're still sold as budget smooth pipes instead.
The price for any given finish can be highly variable depending on the country and target market.

 

[sablebrush52]

The root briar Dunhills I've seen on auctions were cheaper than some of the smooth and other pipes by them that sold.

Boor Briar Dunhill pipes ARE smooths.

It reads like you're confusing the term "root briar" with a sandblast or rusticated finish. Generally rough finishes are priced less than smooth finishes, since getting a perfect smooth finish with no fills is a lot harder to do than making a sandblast or rusticating. Smooths cost more because they cost more to make and because people are willing to pay more for a smooth finish.