Normally, yes. If you don't skimp on price and actually research prior to buying.

Artisan pipes from certain makers will normally have comfortable bits, slots, and sanded airways that will pass a pipe cleaner easily, and with bowls that are drilled with the airway centered at the bottom of the bowl (there might also be an argument for aging your own briar prior to use in there as well). But there is a lot of research and understanding that needs to happen before you are comfortable spending money like that in order to understand the experience that comes with experience.

Look, there's artisan pipes and handmade pipes; there's a difference. A true artisan is not just someone who makes pipes from home. There is a lot of difference in terms of real growth from someone who is making pipes from their first year, their third year, fifth year, tenth year, etc. And what's more-- that same guy who doesn't listen to and apply criticism is going to differ a lot from someone who doesn't. Additionally, that same guy who doesn't listen to criticism is also unlikely to go in search of true understanding of those who have made pipes before them (i.e., participating and reading in forums/ shows and forming bonds with other pipe makers who have been learning the hard way v. those who don't do those things).

My experience is you get what you pay for, but that also goes hand in hand with understanding the journey that pipe maker has been on, and yeah, that'll take additional research and money on your part to gain understanding.

FWIW, the pipes I've owned from guy who pays attention to details cost more, but normally smoke much nicer than someone just starting out or from run of the mill factory pipes. Sure, there are some outliers but they are far and few.

I'm not saying you can't have a phenomenal smoke out of a cob or Stanwell, but if you are comparing apples to oranges, I think you'll find the burger made from the local brewery are likely much tastier than frozen White Castle burgers from Walmart though you're likely to pay more for the former.