How can pipes be differentiated based on the making process?
Pipes are generally made either by machine or by hand. Unlike other machine made objects, pipes made by machines always require a certain amount of hand work; for example, the application of colorings (tints) is almost always done by hand, as well as the process of hiding and/or removing defects in the briar (fills/putties). Depending on the manufacturing facilities and the available machinery, the pieces of briar are placed on a lathe, where 12, 24, 36, etc., pieces are cut simultaneously into a predetermined shape. Hand-made pipes, on the other hand, require a great amount of hand work (which varies from one pipe maker to the other) and usually a certain minimal amount of machine intervention. Also, here machines may be used (and ARE often used) at certain stages of pipe making; for example, an electric drill is used to make the draught hole and the tobacco chamber. A few pipe makers nowadays make their pipe with absolutely no electric saws or drills, just lying on their muscles and
