Are telemark-specific poles worth seeking out, or should I just buy good touring poles?

For most telemark skiers, high-quality touring poles work perfectly well and offer a much wider selection. The key is ensuring the poles are long enough and have the features you need (powder baskets, reliable adjustment, appropriate weight). True telemark-specific poles are rare and don't offer meaningful advantages over good touring poles with the right specifications. Focus on getting the correct length, weight, and features rather than searching for telemark branding.