A suggestion if I may: don't bother reading these articles on line; 
download any of interest to your printer and read
the hard copy at your leisure.

The Dunhill Pipe: A Comparison

A Dunhill Pipe Dating Guide

A Short History of the Italian Handmade Pipe

What Makes A Good Briar Pipe, Part 1

What Makes A Good Briar Pipe, Part 2

My Visit To A Briar Sawmill

Grain

Curing

The Art of the Sandblast

The Ashton Pipe Story

Hand Made? Machine Made? Hand Made by Machine?