Tallow or Vegan, and why?

Interesting, thanks for sharing, Hobbyist.
(FWIW, many store/factory soaps do contain glycerin. Indeed, glycerin is a by-product of saponification, but it's my understanding that in the case of many store/factory type soaps, the glycerin is imported into the recipe.)

I'm not actually talking shaving soaps, just soaps in general. But yes, I have seen glycerin listed in the ingredients in some soaps, and perhaps things have changed, but from things I read the major soap makers for years have extracted the natural glycerin and sold it to cosmetics companies primarily, for use in makeup and such. What I do know is that the soaps I make at home have been providing the extra moisturizing qualities that I prefer, especially living in the dry heat of Las Vegas. It is the same with every artisan bar I've tried, such as Stirling and Soap Commander, and some locals I pick up at the artisan festivals. The two soaps I found that I was very pleased with were PdP and L'Occitane. I'm sure there are others as well, but the common soaps my wife used to buy at the grocery stores were full of chemicals in most cases, and the same with shampoos.

By the way, I'm no expert at this obviously. What I know is what I have learned in the last 8 or 9 months of making soaps for family and friends. I only have access to the same reading material as you pretty much, whatever is on the Internet and some books that are sold on the internet. I first learned how to make soaps from Soap Queen (Brambleberry) and then signed up to some boards and email newsletters and such. It's been a big learning experience and lots of fun. I don't know if you make soaps or not, but from the amount of knowledge you already have you should consider giving it a try if you haven't already.

I've always read that badgers in China (from whence the hair used in brushes mostly comes) are indeed killed and used as food. As far as I know they're not killed just for their fur.

I never read that until a few years ago on the forums. I also read that badgers used to make brushes were raised on farms, not taken from the wild. Not a shred of evidence was presented for either story, at least not that I ever saw.. Maybe it is some creative storytelling by the brush makers? Regardless, I don't see how killing a badger for it's pelt is any worse than killing it for dinner.

Tallow.

I find tallow soaps with the Holy Trinity (shea, kokum, and lanolin) provide the best combination of creamy yogurt lather and amazing post shave (example: B&M, Mike's, CRSW, Tiki, Strop Shoppe, etc). I'm a lanolin junkie, and most veggie soaps don't have lanolin, so it makes them hard to compete.

My top veggie soaps would be SV, PAA 3.0, and Soap Commander, but none of these are in my Top 5. Catie's is great to load and easy to use, but in the end I'm lukewarm about the performance. The quality also seem to be inconsistent (I've had some runny/goopy tubs). I find its harder to get that glossy yogurt lather with veggie soaps.

Tallow.

I find tallow soaps with the Holy Trinity (shea, kokum, and lanolin) provide the best combination of creamy yogurt lather and amazing post shave (example: B&M, Mike's, CRSW, Tiki, Strop Shoppe, etc). I'm a lanolin junkie, and most veggie soaps don't have lanolin, so it makes them hard to compete.

My top veggie soaps would be SV, PAA 3.0, and Soap Commander, but none of these are in my Top 5. Catie's is great to load and easy to use, but in the end I'm lukewarm about the performance. The quality also seem to be inconsistent (I've had some runny/goopy tubs). I find its harder to get that glossy yogurt lather with veggie soaps.

Cant Agree More! There is something SPecial with the Tallow, Shea, Kokum and Lanolin combo. Almost all my top soaps have that combo.

As many of us here, I heavily invested in many soaps. I tend to get rid of the non-tallow ones.  I almost never get rid of my tallows and when I do is for scent preference, not performance. But..... LPL and MDC are among my D.R. Harris pucks.

My official position is that I don't care so long as the soap is tops, with that being said I have to admit that the absolute best performing soaps I've used are always tallow, I haven't found a vegan soap that can equal the elite performers I've used.

As stated before Im a tallow guy, but Soap Commander and CRSW Olivea are one of the few vegan soaps that behave like a tallow soap (performance-wise and post shave wise).

Okay. I am gullible and naive I still don't get "which side do you dress on".

Please explain if it is not too delicate or embarrassing in translation.

Mickey (Duuhh)

I'm pretty sure It's a polite way to ask which side your male member is on so when the tailor measures your inseam he doesn't bump into "you" and cause an awkward moment.

OH!

Thank you.

Okay. I am gullible and naive I still don't get "which side do you dress on".

Please explain if it is not too delicate or embarrassing in translation.

Mickey (Duuhh)

I'm pretty sure It's a polite way to ask which side your male member is on so when the tailor measures your inseam he doesn't bump into "you" and cause an awkward moment.

Yep. Doesn't work well as a pick-up line. (Some things you just learn the hard way.)

Uh oh!

Now it's getting to be "For adults only".