Chris, which of the PAA brushes was your favourite?
It's a little more than his budget, but a 24mm Synbad can be bought from ApShaveCo for for $25. I've not used one of their brushes, but they seem to be really highly rated.
I got fed up with *very* expensive silvertip badger brushes - because they kept molting, no matter how nicely I treated them - and decided (with some scepticism) to try a Yaqi synthetic.
The first was a 24mm knot, which was good.
The second, and my current, is a 28mm and is fantastic.
"Go large" is my tip.
Amazon have a 30mm Yaqi for £22 - that's a steal and will last you for many years.
This is a fantastic Brush.
Don’t underestimate the price it’s a fantastic brush for not a lot of money. for me this is better than some brushes 4 times the price.
Get a synthetic for your first brush they are far easier to look after & far easier to dry.