I agree, that if you are prepared to spend money and want a new product, go for Filco. Either blue switch (more pronounced, a bit harder) or brown (less pronounced, lighter, good for zapping), you can make a half-random guess based on what you think you'd like. IMHO Filco will be good and you might as well save yourself time dealing with other Cherry-switched keyboards until you find one that you like.
For that matter, I'm typing on a tenkeyless blue-switched Filco right now. They keys are shiny and I like it this way (because this is a working machine, not a HTPC).
If you're feeling more adventurous and have time to burn, I'd go looking for a real, old IBM Model M (giving a try to any other old mechanical keyboard you find in the process if the cost is like a couple of bucks). Close to the same but reportedly a little different are Unicomp keyboards, which are new keyboards produced on the same factory line by new owners of the factory (former IBM workers AFAIK). AFAIK, Unicomp are open to some customisation on demand, might be fun.
Occasionally, there are discounts or sales available online, where you can buy something for like half the price, though it won't be a Filco.
