@cgraunke thanks for the detailed pictures and for running with this. After reading through the discussion here and looking at the pictures, I changed my vote from 2 to 3. 3 just looks like a really well made pipe. I know a billard isn't the most exciting shape, but the maker seems to have taken the time to do all the little things that make a difference. I'm very new to pipes and I'm sure I don't know who made any of the three of these, but, to me, if 1 and 2 didn't take the time to get the details right in the samples, how can we expect them to do so when production ramps up for the actual order? Maybe I'm being too harsh, but that's what swayed my vote.
That said, I'll probably end up buying one regardless of which design we choose!