Referencing camaguey's post #12, Iwan Ries used to source its house pipes from Edwards Benton series, and they were oil-cured Algerian briar, which is pretty elegant for a house pipe at a moderate price. Mostly on the merit of the IR name and stamp, I bought three -- a straight smooth tapered billiard, a Canadian (one of my bigger chambered pipes), and a pocket Oom-Paul. I bought these at least 25 years ago, probably longer ago, and they still look great and smoke exceedingly well.
I also have a Ferndown given to me by a Forums member, so I'm glad to know that that is oil-cured briar as well. It's a fine pipe, but I didn't now that detail. I think Les Wood started with Dunhill as a metal smith. I didn't know his wife was Dolly and also worked at Dunhill. The Ferndown is one of my up-market treasures.
I always learn something on Forums.