Nathan Armentrout is one of the high-grade pipemakers in the US. Go for his work, you wont be disappointed.
Here's his bio on SPC
Hailing from Lancaster, California, the small desert town where he was born and raised, Nathan Armentrout is a member of the new wave of prominent American artisans, a set whose range runs from those long-time pipe smokers who took up pipemaking after retiring from another career, to promising barely-twenty-somethings who have just gotten started in the world. What they all share, regardless of age, is a great appreciation for the pipe both in its form and its function, a dedication to constant improvement in their craftsmanship, and an eclectic spectrum of influences where the only predictable common denominators are the Danish greats and the great vintage classics of certain English marques' glory days.
In Nathan's case, his start as a professional pipemaker began as a hobby. But to satisfy his passion for the art and craftsmanship involved in creating a fine smoking instrument, things needed to be taken to the next level. Thus began the long process of investing in proper tooling, setting up a fully equipped shop, and, every bit as important, pursuing a more expansive and in-depth knowledge of pipe design and pipemaking techniques from successful artisans. With some help and guidance from pipemakers and friends, and an improve-with-every-pipe mindset, Nathan's skills grew in design and detail - and he continues his efforts to keep them growing still.
His portfolio on smokingpipes.com
Cheers,
Chris :puffpipe:
