I'm going to jump in here and give an answer to the last. I just received my first knots (20mm, 24mm & 28mm) from Anthony and they feel fabulous. Very dense and nicely shaped. I have yet to use one as I am still searching for a used lathe or someone in the area to let me use one to make the handles, but the knots are definitely top quality.
"Jockeys" from this thread
Making custom brushes pt. 3
had his 28mm finished with the really nice purpleheart handle with him at the DFW get together and it was extremely nice looking and feeling.
Tony