Good question. You can certainly get a smoking pipe kit elsewhere, and
for less money. A couple reasons come to mind. The biggest reason I
can think of is that the block of wood you will get is a block that was
hand picked by me for my own use. I'm not selling blocks of wood that
I wouldn't use myself! Another big reason, take a look at the letters
I've received! ('nuff said!)... This will not be a "here you go, take it or
leave it" transaction!

I will prepare for you a briar pipe kit using good quality Algerian
briar that you can shape into your own pipe. I will communicate directly
with you to work out the hole placement and angles as well as your stem
selection. All prices include a vulcanite stem. Your choice of either
"push stem" (below), or can also provide other saddle & tapered bits on
request. Just let me know

The size of the block you are looking for will determine the price. The
example below (a basic kit) is $35 + $6 Shipping within the US.

When you contact me, let me know the shape you would like to make.
I will select a block of wood for that shape and lay out the drilling. I
will send you a pic of the block (via email) for you to see and you
can tell me if you would like changes (afterall, it's YOUR pipe!).
All tobacco chambers will be 3/4" Dia by however deep your design
will allow. I will mark the block, drill it, & fit the stem. You can
finish the rest of it.

If you also wanted the stem bent (and didn't want to do it yourself), let
me know, I will bend it and polish it for another $10 - so all you are
left with is the wood to finish.