After removing the master, holding it upright and tapping everything, and finally binding the lever overnight, its feeling really good this morning.
Didn't quite have your problems but thought my "good" lever could be better.
In a fit of temper one night, I pulled the lever back hard, and I mean very hard until my knuckles were blue, 5 or 6 times
.
Result - one very firm front lever. Shame I can't say that for the rear brake