I used to think my Nordings were okay, but I think I hadn't settled into "good habits" and was ignorant to my lack of luck with them. I have three, and they all, to a greater or lesser degree, do not work with me. I have $10 no-name pipes that smoke wonderfully, but my beautiful entry-level Nordings haven't gone my way. Part of it is tobacco chamber. They're way too tall and narrow for my tobacco and smoking style.
Not to say these pipes don't perform well, just not for me. I may sell one of them here on the board, and it kills me, because it was my first new pipe that made me so happy back when I was picking up the pipe again. I need to fund my Secret Santa participation anyway.
8)