Mine is Lea out of Spain you can find it on amazon, I am fair skinned...Lea left my face very smooth and moisturized no need for after shave balm.
Depends on where you live ... in Europe, the obvious choice is the Palmolive stick, because you can get it from the supermarket. You can get Tabac from the regular shops as well. In the USA, it makes sense to buy American soaps, because you probably have to order online anyway (correct?). In other regions, I have no idea what's available, but my best guess would be Tabac. Very good soap too, btw, as long as you remember that it's thirsty.
I'm not really sure a lack of tallow is a deal breaker for me. With the exception of the Stirling offerings mentioned, all of the above are good choices. Fine's new soap has proved to be a favorite of mine in the last few weeks.
I don't like stirling soaps at all, tho I won't bash anyone who does. IMHO Razorock tallow soaps like xxx is the finest shaving soap currently available, and it's cheaper than stirling. Razorock is the best place to start imho.
I love Tiki tallow soaps. Easy to lather and great post feel. Only issue I have with tallow soaps is they tend to go rancid (which you wouldn't expect), but it takes a while.
I forgot to mention Tabac in my initial post.... An excellent performing tallow soap, but I simply can't abide the scent. It's fallen out of the soap rotation—and probably the reason I forgot to mention it. Unscented Tabac would be ideal...for me. Others do enjoy both the performance and scent.
I live in the UK & Sensitive to Strong Scents so I use European Traditional Tallow Soaps.. Valobra Vitos Monsavon Bol Haslinger DR Harris Arlington Billy..
Top on my list: Barrister & Mann. Incredible soaps, you'll just have to find a scent that works for you I love stuff like Cheshire and Fireside, you might hate it... Close runner-ups: Jeeves of Hudson Street "Eucalyptus & Spearmint", Razorock "Mudder Focker" Non-Artisan: Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, D.R. Harris Sandalwood
Stirling/B&M/Shaver Heaven/MWF to name but a few. Stirling is great and very slick. B&M and Shaver Heaven only slightly less slick, but little better for cushion. They each do scents very differently as well. MWF is just a great all round performing soap, and the benchmark for soaps I keep.
I loved Valobra unscented (stick, ran out). Tabac may have performed better but I got sick of the scent. I really gotta try Stirling...
Just went on Stirling site... Not that I want to branch off this thread, but how can they sell a Stainless razor for less than $20?
Only the handles are stainless steel, the heads are standard zamac. And from my understanding the head is the more diffcult (and the more expensive) part to make from steel. Still a good price though
Best tallow shaving soap? SO many good choices, more than a few have already been mentioned in this thread. One name I would acknowledge as a contender for "Best" is Cold River Soap Works. I'd also give a shout for WSP Formula T soaps. Don't forget Haslinger!
Chiseled Face has some great soap, easy to lather and slick, performs well. I'm also digging the Stirling. Cella is another favorite of mine and I do love Tabac!