I've been running my Hurst V-gate since the early 1990's. Lot more street miles than drag racing miles and I love it.
Here is a side by side of the two (randomly found on the web). I would not think the Mr. Gasket is any thougher to drive.
In the Grumpy Jenkins book they talked about how he designed his own shifter taking a 3 speed and adapting it to a 4 speed. Then he added a second stick just for reverse. I immediatley thought of a Vertigate, but now think it would be a pretty cool thing to do with one of those old M/T shifters in that link.