The billiard looks the best of the three to my eyes. Overall, I think you need to focus on cleaning up your lines, tightening up your fit and finish, and improving the internal engineering on your stems.
Stem Internals:
1. Are you using preforms or cutting your own? If I had to guess, I'd say you're using altered preform stems. Either way, are you using a tapered drill bit to approach from the tenon end? If not, I'd recommend picking one up. It looks like a straight shot to the flared portion of the internals.
2. The flare looks pretty good on the first pipe, but it can be wider at the button and deeper in the stem on the billiard. I'd shoot for maybe a 1/4" deeper.
Lines:
On all three, the lines appear unclean and lumpy. The billiard has the cleanest lines, IMO. All of your lines should have continuity. Take a look at the image below.
The top line is continuous. The bottom line lacks flow because it has lumps and bumps. Aim to create lines that more closely resemble the top line and you'll dramatically improve the look of your pipes. Y'know, minus the pix-elation.
Fit and Finish:
1. The pipe that most embodies the need for improvement in fit is your last pipe. The ring doesn't fit flush with the shank or the stem. Because this wasn't achieved before you buffed, the edges on the stem and shank curved inwards, which further hurt the lines of the pipe. It resembles a small ring on a fat finger.
2. The pipe that most embodies the need for improvement in finish is the billiard. The rustication looks fine, but sanding down the ridges you created gives the pipe a cheap look, IMO. It also looks like the dark stain didn't get all the way into the valleys of the rustication, which makes the finish look rushed.
That's my 2 cents. All of the stuff I mentioned is hard, so it's not something you should expect to nail right away. However, you'll notice a marked improvement in the look and smokeability of your pipes as you continue to work on these categories.
Keep pushing forward and before you know it, notes like these will be a thing of the past.
I hope this helps.
