My own personal favourite is Lightwave, since it is almost like modelling in virtual clay. 3D Studio is good, but too technified for me, I'm sure it's simple to use, but it's buried under such a complex looking interface that it's scary, quite similar to Maya in that respect.
Truespace is ok, I'm slowly getting used to it now, but I don't think I will ever grow to love it.
It's been years since I used blender, but the last time I saw it, it seemed to be trying to head down the lightwave route, which can't be bad. I'll have to take a look back at it one day

Either way, for modelling it's different horses for different courses, so find what you get on with (and can afford).
Flipside
