not all wood pipes are porus and wastful.
a few factors will determine if its worth smokin out of. mostly what kind of wood and how its carved. for instance pine is definaly out as are most soft woods. look for a good dense hard wood. oak usally dont work very well its very porus. walnut is a good choice or osage orange.
make sure that the hole you toke thru come to the bottom of the bowl not the side. and thats its of an ample size to be clened and not clog to quickly
and $20 bucks for a wood peice is kinda steep unless it is a very exeptional peice