Tallow from Spain! Vintage La Toja Manantiales and new Lea

**Vlad** · 05-12-2012, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Sullybob

Nice score Vlad. How was the shave with the Lea?

Darn good.

I'm giving it another go tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to reviews from true soap aficionados like Marco, but I think this is great stuff.

It's about as soft as Palmolive, which makes it a little softer than DR Harris sticks, La Toja stick and Valobra--easy to load, dense protective lather.

**Shave A Buck** · 05-13-2012, 02:41 AM

The factory has sent me samples. I will prepare an order this week for these.

**Sullybob** · 05-13-2012, 04:52 AM

Thanks Vlad. Looks like another soap to try.

**mboschm** · 05-13-2012, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Marco

Just amazing, Vlad! And, by the way, I'll also soon receive a great pack from Barcelona (thank you Luis!). Mine will include a new Lea stick, five La Toja sticks and an Artisan soap "Jabonman" that is currently only sold in Spain. Luis told me it's wonderful!

You will not regret trying Jabonman's stuff. Only too delicious.

**redrako** · 05-13-2012, 05:33 AM

Vlad, Luis you both epitomize the best of B&B and the west shaving community. Luis, I hope that you enjoy your Plisson brush.

I"m excited that Joe at shaveabuck will be carrying the new Lea stick and am eager to try it.

**Jim** · 05-13-2012, 06:09 AM

Well played Gents!

**Marco** · 05-13-2012, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Vlad

Darn good.

I'm giving it another go tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to reviews from true soap aficionados like Marco, but I think this is great stuff.

It's about as soft as Palmolive, which makes it a little softer than DR Harris sticks, La Toja stick and Valobra--easy to load, dense protective lather.

I will post a thread on both the new Lea stick and the Artisan Jabonman shaving soap as soon as I'll receive and test them. Thank you for the "soap aficionado", Vlad!

**brucered** · 05-26-2012, 08:20 AM

i just used my La Toja manantiales again today, pulled out the soap, face lathered it like a giant stick...WOW.

because it's no longer available, i do not use it regularly, but when i want to treat myself to something different.

i forgot how good it was, and how easy it lathered up. i thought there would be no chance i'd get 3 passess out of 1 smear on my face, but i was wrong.

3 thick, slick and creamy lathers. 1 touch up pass on cheeks, then some left on face for cleanup.

great stuff if you can find it. i have a regular LaToja stick on order for camping, so we'll see how it compares.

**Marco** · 05-26-2012, 10:05 AM

My friend Luis from Spain did ship me a wonderful pack containing:

5 La Toja sticks
1 La Toja Magno bath soap
1 LEA stick (new formula)
10 Artisan Jabonman shaving soaps (large samples)

A truly fantastic gift, Luis! Thank you so much!

**brucered** · 05-26-2012, 11:00 AM

with all the talk lately of "moisturizing post shave feel", i gotta say the La Toja is up there. 4hrs after my shave and my face is still soft, moisturized and smooth.

any feedback or reviews on that Lea Tallow Stick. i may have to try and source a couple of these. those test lathers looks like perfection.

**mctmatt** · 05-26-2012, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Marco

My friend Luis from Spain did ship me a wonderful pack containing:

5 La Toja sticks
1 La Toja Magno bath soap
1 LEA stick (new formula)
10 Artisan Jabonman shaving soaps (large samples)

A truly fantastic gift, Luis! Thank you so much!

Marco what are thoughts on the La Toja Magno Soap in terms of scent. Most of my family and friends like it and want a bar of it for themselves.

**lu20vt** · 05-26-2012, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Marco

My friend Luis from Spain did ship me a wonderful pack containing:

5 La Toja sticks
1 La Toja Magno bath soap
1 LEA stick (new formula)
10 Artisan Jabonman shaving soaps (large samples)

A truly fantastic gift, Luis! Thank you so much!

I'm glad you like the "sweets", you have time for fun! you'll love the JabonMan and Lea! The Magno Toilet is a wonder

The Lea is better than the La Toja present for my taste

**Vlad** · 05-26-2012, 12:28 PM

any feedback or reviews on that Lea Tallow Stick. i may have to try and source a couple of these. those test lathers looks like perfection.

I think a few of our friends in Europe might have a stick, but very few in the states. I heard this reformulation was the work of a Spanish forum, but I can't read Spanish!

**Marco** · 05-26-2012, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by mctmatt

Marco what are thoughts on the La Toja Magno Soap in terms of scent. Most of my family and friends like it and want a bar of it for themselves.

Simply marvellous for both scent and performance, as anything coming from La Toja. My wife already said it's "her own soap", Tom...

**Marco** · 05-26-2012, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by lu20vt

I'm glad you like the "sweets", you have time for fun! you'll love the JabonMan and Lea! The Magno Toilet is a wonder

The Lea is better than the La Toja present for my taste

Testing the new soaps in the next coming days, Luis. In the meantime, mucho gratias amigo!

**beginish** · 05-26-2012, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by brucered

with all the talk lately of "moisturizing post shave feel", i gotta say the La Toja is up there. 4hrs after my shave and my face is still soft, moisturized and smooth.

any feedback or reviews on that Lea Tallow Stick. i may have to try and source a couple of these. those test lathers looks like perfection.

Bruce, I've been using the LTM daily for the last couple of months, and find it head and shoulders above any other veggie soap I've tried. I have to ask, though, how does it compare to MdC?

**brucered** · 05-26-2012, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by beginish

Bruce, I've been using the LTM daily for the last couple of months, and find it head and shoulders above any other veggie soap I've tried. I have to ask, though, how does it compare to MdC?

funny you should ask...i have put MdC on deck for tomorrow, to a back to back comparison with the exact same setup of everything else (same brush, blade, pre, post etc).

as for other veggies soaps, the only other one i know i have in my den is TFS BN, and i find it much, much better. easier to lather, better shave, better lather, no breakdown and better post shave feel.

someone asked me how well MdC was for moisturizing so i'm going to note it tomorrow. there has been a lot of talk about "moisturizing and post shave feel" lately, so we'll see. i never have any issues with MdC post shave feel, but never really took note of it.

as for the application. MdC is much easier to lather as it can be lathered on the bowl, rather then the MdC, which i take out and use as a giant stick.

**FL shaver** · 05-26-2012, 06:18 PM

My sister-in-law is in San Sebastian for the week. I have an order in!

**VT_Hokie** · 05-26-2012, 06:22 PM

The La Toja stick is absolutely fantastic. It's in my top few soaps along with the new RR La Famiglia for sure.

**brucered** · 05-27-2012, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by beginish

Bruce, I've been using the LTM daily for the last couple of months, and find it head and shoulders above any other veggie soap I've tried. I have to ask, though, how does it compare to MdC?

it's up there with MdC in my books. i just finished a shave with MdC, same setup (face lather, same pre/post and hardware), and the MdC has a light edge in application to the brush (la toja is harder to lather in wood bowl, thus i use as a GIANT shave stick) and i am really fond of the scent of MdC, much strong scent then La Toja.

both gave me an excellent, irritation free shave, full of thick & slick lather and both left my face feeling great after the shave.

slightly better shave feel with MdC, but it's likely do to the fact that it was the 2nd shave with the Polsilver blade and usually day 2 for a blade is when i get the best shave with it (after a bit of the edge has been taken off)

so, if i had to pick 1, i'd pick MdC, but luckily i don't have to choose (for now at least)

here's hoping the petition to bring back La Manantiales is successful as it's a fantastic soap and a great performer