Shaving soaps have existed for, so far as I can tell, about 200 years. Yardley is one of the most recognized vintage brands by wet shaving enthusiasts. I've never had the chance to try Yardley myself, as a vintage puck in a wooden bowl typically costs upwards of $100 USD. Additionally, these are becoming harder and harder to come by. I have decided to include a couple of details (which I found on Wikipedia, by way of Google) on why shaving soap is preferable to canned foam: The primary advantages of shaving soap over aerosol shaving creams is the additional hydration provided by shaving soaps. For optimal softening of whiskers, the natural oils on the face and whiskers must be removed. This is done effectively by shaving soap because of the oil removing soap ingredients, and the scrubbing action of the brush... After oil is removed from the whiskers by the shaving soap and brush, water can more easily penetrate the whiskers. This results in whiskers being more easily cut than when using aerosol and other shaving creams not using soap and the abrasive action seen with the use of shaving soap and brush. Wet shaving enthusiasts know that soaps and creams that require a brush to lather provide the best shave possible, and we would love to see Yardley return their legendary soap to the arena of wet shaving. In the words of a recent U.S. AT&T commercial, "We want more. We want more."