I'm still not sure why people bash them...
It's largely because of the gimlet eyed newbie cultists who show up here declaring that Dunhills are the best pipes made, period. I have three still in rotation, a 1927 shell, and 1949 black dot, and a 1967 ODA apple, that are really superb smokers. The others sit in the drawer. There's nothing supernatural about Dunhill and the prices aren't about quality but are about mystique.
I like pipes from a number of makers, obviously Barling, but also Comoy, Sasieni, Kaywoodie, Von Erck, Castello, Ser Jacopo, Curtz, Talbert, Tatum, Fillenwarth, Cannoy, Alden, etc.
If you're looking for a well performing pipe you have a number of ways to go. Nobody has a lock on it.