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My first brush was the VDH boar brush in the Wally World kit. Shed like crazy, would not lather, $8.
it was retired by my Tweezerman badger brush, nothing great, but it made the VDH seem like a prop or toy brush. $14
That was in turn retired by the $20 pro 48.
What retires the Pro 48? Under $100?
If you like premium boar, try the Semogue Owners Club. I have 8 brushes, including 2 Semogue boars and an Omega knot in a custom handle, and 5 different types of badgers. Currently, the SOC is my favorite.
You could look at Semogue Owners Club 2 Band Cherry Wood Badger Shaving Brush or one of these Muhle 35 K 256 Silvertip Fibre XL Shaving Brush . That is if you are looking for a production brush. I have the SOC badger and once broken in found it has soft tips and good backbone along with a very comfortable handle which is long enough if you bowl lather. I don't have the Muhle linked to but do have their synthetic silver tip travel brush. The Muhle travel brush will lather creams or soaps like MWF equally well, as does the SOC, but has virtually no break in period and dries quickly. I don't think you could go too far wrong either way.
Bob
Think about making 1 ? Look at knots and try what you think might feel and work the best for you. They sell handles also or you could buy e-bay vintage and bring it back to life. Then you have created something for yourself. If you don't want to do it yourself go look at the new Brush builders thread and find someone to build one for you. There is 1 guy in there that could probably help you decide better than anyone. He won't be hard to find. :<0)
+1 on making or buying a custom one!
Buy a boar knot from The Golden Nib. Then contact Rudy Vey at Ultimate Pen Designs or Bob Quinn at Elite Razors. They both make awesome custom handles. If you go over to Badger and Blade or The Shave Nook you'll see many threads with pictures of their work. You'll end up with a great custom boar for less than $75.