Great list of North American artisan carvers. Though I am devoted to factory pipes -- the main brands and some of the domestic brands, I do have some artisan works. The late Bob Hayes, an award-winning N.C. carver, sold me a pipe at a jaw-dropping discount, my only bamboo shank pipe, a Dublin. Also, since 2002, I've bought about ten Jerry Perry pipes, about half in Mountain Laurel, that I greatly enjoy. Jerry only sells in person at the N.C. State Fair and TAPS pipe show; his independence is another of his salient virtues.