Have you tried an Omega S-Brush (synthetic boar)? I used to have trouble with synthetics, but after about 5 shaves with the S-Brush it entered into my rotation as a stellar performer.
My daily brush is the 2009 B&B limited edition super badger from Kent. I've been using it pretty much exclusively since I bought it, except for when I travel. It has plenty of backbone for soap and is gentle enough for face lathering. If I wasn't paranoid that I would lose or ruin this brush while traveling, I wouldn't own any other brushes.
Not much better than a well broken in boar.
Call me crazy but...I'm thinking boars are just better than badgers. I know it's a ymmv thing but I'm thinking this is empirically true. The lather whips up quicker with a boar and it does not get lost in the brush. Any thoughts welcome.
In my mind it's strictly a personal preference thing. I like boars, I like badgers.
And both, IMHO, are WAY better than synthetics.