Nothing touches my hands but Wooster or Purdy brushes for either oil or water based finishes. I tend to use 2.5 to 3 inch angled sash brushes the most. If I have time, I shop eBay for brushes. Some times I have to buy larger lots than I would like but I donate the brushes I will never use to Habitat for Humanity or something.
Otherwise, I bite the bullet and just pay the price for nice brushes.
It causes my heart to stop watching fools buying an assortment of brushes in a bag, with plastic handles, 20 for $10 at a box store. I guess they think they are cheap enough they don't have to take care of them.
I got a lot of miles out my brushes. A typical homeowner and DIYer could probably get at least the life of their residency in the home out of a set of decent brushes.
Mine, at least the latex ones, go through a life cycle starting with glass like trim work, to cutting in latex wall finish coats, to cutting in primer. And then with ceremony, they are laid to rest---of course as clean and conditioned as I can make them at the time of death.