Putting aside my predilection against decks that advertise tobacco and alcohol products, I'd still go for the Artisans. The T11 JAQKs are great cards, I'm sure, but so are the Artisans in terms of quality and appearance, and the Artisans are not only still in print, but appear to be set for more than one printing, while the JAQKs were a one-run deal, not to be remade.
For any "real world" use involving performance for others, especially magic (where more often than not the spectator ends up handling at least some portion of the deck), I like getting something that's not only in print, but that will continue to be printed. I also like my fully-custom decks, but for general-purpose use as opposed to a specific performance, I'll carry something with a custom back but not too much else that's too far from the norm. For magicians, it gives the audience the identification factor - they know they're playing cards, they look very much like the ones they use at home, and they have just enough of a flair to them to be more interesting. For flourishers, they want the focus more on what they're doing with the cards than on the cards themselves (another factor that magicians prefer).
My "standards" - non-gaffed decks that I'll take with me on trips with the intent to use them in performance or playing games:
Bicycle Rider Backs, red and blue (though not often)
Tally-Ho, circle and/or fan backs, red and blue
Monarchs and Silver Monarchs
Bicycle Masters, red and blue
Bicycle Series 1800, red and blue (Performance Coating version)
Bicycle Guardians, either USPC or T11 v2
Crown Decks, red/blue/green
NOC Decks, any colors
Phoenix, "Master Edition" (USPC-made), red and blue
The common theme among these decks is that they're regularly available, not limited editions, and most of them are cheap when compared to other custom decks - some aren't even custom. With one exception, they're available in two colors, allowing for matched decks for two-deck tricks or poker games. There's some variation in terms of finish, stock and level of customization in order to keep things interesting for me, but they're all excellent working-performer's decks.
Most importantly, if one got lost, stolen, dropped in a puddle, manhandled, given as a gift, etc., I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. They're easily and inexpensively replaced, and I usually have a good number of them on hand at home.
I even try keeping it simple with "special" decks - usually either gaffed decks like strippers, invisibles, etc. or decks that I have gaff cards for (and more than just a blank facer and a double backer). Not more than a few decks, and usually only on extended trips. Again, I try bringing decks that I can easily replace - my Ultimate Marked Decks (out of print), Ellusionist gaff decks (expensive) and my Phoenix Get Sharky deck (very expensive) will often remain home unless there's a specific purpose for bringing it, like a gig. But that's for magicians....
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