Knize Ten (3rd Opinion) (Knize)


By Thomas

Yeah, yeah, it’s a classic and all that. Whatever.

For me to like a scent – to really find it compelling – I have to have balance, a little pungency. Everything in my regular rotation has this balance between smooth/sharp or clean/dirty. For me, Knize Ten tilts way too far on the smooth and gentle side. Whether this is a matter of different body chemistries or differences in olfactory perceptions is a question I can't answer.

What I get from Knize Ten are powdery flowers. Lots and lots of powdery flowers (Tons of powdery rubbery flowers!), which were appropriate for the times when bathing wasn't an everyday occurrence. Back then a man could rely on his own BO to supply the pungency, but today...not showering is not happening for me.

This avalanche of powdery flowers overwhelms everything else in its wake, so there's not much room for me to notice leather or spices or anything else that I find interesting in the list of notes.

I understand the appeal of the classics, the rarities that withstand the trends and continue to prosper. I also realize works of genius take time to reveal their secrets. To be fair, one day I may re-visit this and love it dearly – but for now, if I want leather, I'll take Bandit over Knize Ten.

Note: my sample is likewise of indeterminate provenance and thus may or may not be a different formulation than the current offering or even Dane or Mark's samples.

Perfumer: Vincent Roubert and François Coty
Year: 1924
Notes: Bergamot, Orange, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Lemon, Geranium, Cedarwood, Rose, Orris, Carnation, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Leather, Musk, Moss, Amber, Castoreum, and Vanilla
Posted by Brand:

2 comments:

  1. can't really agree with your assessment of Knize Ten, man. It's got lots of leather, mixed in perfectly with a touch of rubber, flower, and even a bit of musk. this stuff is crafted like a finely stitched bespoke suit---with attention to detail. it will smell different everyday, because it changes with environment, mood, and design. Bandit isn't nearly as complex, interesting, or wearable as this....in my opinion ;)
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  2. How did I know someone would get miffed at a bad review of K10? I guess the other two good reviews weren't enough?? ;)

    Of course, we're all allowed our opinions, and although I too disagree with Thomas on this one, I can fully understand how leather scents like K10 can come across as powdery and cloying to some.

    Look on the positive side though - more for the rest of us!
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