I've found that going up a bit more in price typically helps to a degree. I started with a Gillette Tech, and that is quite good. I found it was a bit short for my preferences, and a bit too mild. I might not remember all of it exactly in order. I think I went to a Muhle R89 Grande and the increased length and diameter of the handle was good for me, but I did find the handle to be a bit too slippery. It was later I learned about using an alum block to help increase my grip. Then it happened I saw a Feather AS-D2 for sale on Amazon, and I was able to get a card to get it for a great price, and that sort of opened the flood gate a bit from there. Nothing like happened to me with brushes, though. I enjoyed the Feather AS-D2 for several years, and eventually wanted a bit better cutting performance. The razor had good grip, I absolutely loved the stainless steel feel and the look of the razor.
I forgot what I went to after that. I've been on quite a few things. I think in terms of what I was looking for in more performance was the Tatara Masamune. I held off on it for some time as I thought the handle would be slippery, but it actually isn't. I might have never bought one had I not won that in a raffle. Give me the performance of the Masamune with the handle of the Feather AS-D2 for everyday shaving and I think I would be happy as a clam. Every other 3 days make it the Nodachi. I'm still pretty happy with the handles of both but really think the Feather AS-D2 handle suits me the best. I haven't used that one in awhile, but won't part with it. Too many fond memories of it. If I haven't shaved in a long time and I don't want to trim my hair down with an electric razor, my Stirling HA razor head.
I found with time I didn't care as much for the zamak and the cheaper heads a whole lot. I liked the extra heft of stainless steel overall. Titanium is nice to play with, but feels a bit too light at times. Aluminum is definitely too light for me and I avoid that. I don't like added maintenance and can't stand the patina look so copper and bronze have never been high on my lists. Already learned my lesson with some copper mugs I bought. Open comb is just not my style overall. I have a few I like here and there, but it's just not for me. The solid bar design is what I prefer. I've found I am not fond of vintage razors. The performance just isn't the same. Overall most of the handles are just too short. The British Gillettes are the best I've found, and keep a #15 I think it is for that, along with a travel Tuckaway with an iKon handle.
What helps is if you can find someone that has similar tastes to what you have, but you do have to start somewhere. I know people recommend the Rockwell 6S, and I like the idea of a kit with different types of plates you can try, but I can't get behind the 6S. If I hadn't tried everything else I had before it I think I might have liked it, but I'm not fond of it myself. I like stuff that has been made out of stainless steel. Just because I don't like it doesn't mean you wouldn't, though. One person's holy grail doesn't mean it will be yours. At the same time it doesn't mean it won't. It might only remain your holy grail for a short time, too. I've shifted from a steady razor over the years to going back and forth with some preferences. Like the Stirling razor with the HA head, that thing is extreme, but I need that when I haven't shaved in weeks. I need a bigger gap. Really need to remember to bust out my Mergress for that. It really comes down to finding the right stuff for your preferences. There's more stuff out there you can make work to cut your hair than not. I can't think of anything that wouldn't. But I do have stuff I am going to avoid using regularly. Like that Stirling HA razor. My face would be hamburger doing that.