Up to 50% of the raw material is rejects, as the naturally grown root contains numerous larger inclusions, spots, and cracks. Defects can also appear in the wood during drying. Of this portion, only about half is suitable for high-quality pipes. These are then sorted according to quality grades and crafted into pipes accordingly. Wood without defects is particularly valuable. These are quite rare. Equally rare is a particularly beautiful, even, and dense grain.

Various grain patterns are particularly popular on pipes: Birds Eye (viewed in cross-section), Cross Grain (Birds Eyes appear on two opposite sides of a pipe bowl), Flame Grain (flame-like grain running diagonally from bottom to top), Straight Grain (straight, dense grain covering as much of the pipe's surface as possible), and Ring Grain (a ring-like structure is created when sandblasting a straight grain).

If a pipe has unsightly blemishes, there are several ways to conceal them. These blemishes do not affect the smoking characteristics. For example, dark or even black stains are often chosen to make these areas less noticeable. Freehand artists sometimes turn these imperfections into an attractive feature, artfully rusticating them and using them as a stylistic element.

There are even sophisticated pipe makers who possess the skill to perfectly carve a matching briar element from another piece of wood to insert it into the unsightly area of ​​the pipe, sometimes even including a matching grain pattern.

In mass production, putty is often used. This means that the unsightly areas are filled with a putty and sanded smooth. After staining, the repaired area is no longer visible, but after many smoking sessions, the putty discolors differently than the wood, which can make it visible over time.

The price of a pipe is therefore a combination of many factors, with the quality and appearance of the wood being a major contributing factor.