Same Pipe Style - Different prices..Why???

[Ridge Runner]

I am eyeing a Savinelli "Bing's Favorite" pipe. I have noticed that it comes in rustic, red, black and natural colors. The black and natural are $20-$30 more in price. What gives? Are the rustic and red pipes of lesser quality? I don't mind the red color, but is it really worth spending the additional money for black or natural color? Any info on this would be appreciated. Thank you.

[dmkerr]

As a very general rule, smooth natural is the most expensive because it has to be close to flawless. Sandblast (black, in this case) would be next because a sandblast tends to have nice grain even while there are weak spots on the wood that are sandblasted away. Walnut next. Usually walnut pipes have nice graining but not straight or tight, and often have flaws that the walnut stain can hide, whereas a natural stain would show off the flaws. Rusticated would be last because it requires neither a flawless piece of wood nor good grain.

That is a very general synopsis but it holds for a lot of different pipe makers, including makers of very expensive pipes.. These should all smoke alike so the one you should buy is the one you prefer. There is no difference in quality if you're speaking of the smoking experience. Looks may be another matter but I know people that prefer rusticated finishes. I actually rather like the Bing pipe in the brown rusticated finish.

[DubintheDam]

I have a Bing's Fav sandblast...smokes GREAT, best with the filter in though...me thinks...dub

PS the 7" makes all the difference.