Knize Ten (1924)
by Knize

At first, it smells promising. However, there's something petroleum-like in the drydown that I simply can't stand. Also, its powderiness irritates me as well.

A completely over-hyped leather fragrance.

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]

Unlike R.E.L. which I could envision wearing while sitting on a leather chair at that exclusive, old fashioned, gentlemen's club to which we often allude to here in BN, or Miller Harris Cuir d'Oranger, another masterpiece best suited for speeding on one's Harley; I envision people wearing Knize Ten back during prohibition at a jazz club while swilling Champagne.
James Dean in "Giant " when he strikes oil, however, must not be ignored. Yes, the petroleum note does take some time to get used to. A brilliant composition I admire but can't really wear except very sparingly and in very cold weather.

You wake up in the morning, you have a shower and get dressed. You go to your fragrances and say "What shall I wear?" You choose Knize Ten.

For the rest of the day, everywhere you go, you will be turning heads.

A lot of people will be curious about what they are smelling, others will turn in disgust.

You won't care though because you're wearing Knize Ten

wow... let's play a game of confuse the hell out of my nose.... most of the pyramid is totally lost on me... this smells like mashing a 500$ bouquet of freshly cut roses into a 100 year old saddle that has absorbed enough sweat (both human and horse) to render it as supple as the skin of a newborn baby... i get absolutely no petrol note, and i get absolutely no citrus... to me it is absolutely linear... the only downfall... if you bury your face far enough into it to see the molecular structure of your skin, i can almost smell the urinal cakes you find in fine hotels... other than that i could never see buying a large bottle because i'd have it for a decade, but definately worthy of keeping around for something ABSOLUTELY unique and beautiful

Very nice classic leather. Amazing that it still alive. Based on interesting juxtaposition of dark animalic leather and soft sweet floral note with a strawberry accent - they play hide and seek with each other.
On my skin I don't get much citrus, rather some cool herbs bounded with leather ribbon. In a floral heart my nose definitely smells jasmine (although it's not in a pyramid here) and fresh rose petals. The leathery basenotes are very clear from the beginning - I smell two kind of leather - a rough tar leather of a saddle and a soft dressed leather of a traveling bag. Nicely seasoned with animalic notes, generously powdered with cumin and slightly warmed with a sugar-free amber.

First time I tried it I didn't like it that much. It was a nice leather scent, but too much for me. But I am glad I've got some patience and waited till this fragrance is tamed. It opens really beautiful.

I tend to like dry power house scents that are dark but from the beginning to the end all I got was baby powder and something similar to turpentine and band aids. I didn't get any leather. Has great staying power, consistent, strong and lasts over 24 hours. If you want to smell like detergent then get Knize Ten, however it's not for me...definitely sample before you buy.