Reviews of Knize Ten (1924)
by Knize

This was once my favorite fragrance, but over time, my tastes have changed, and it isn't down to reformulation.

Knize Ten opens with a strong leather, somewhat tarry and rooty at the same time. The top notes are brief, quickly morphing into a fragrance that's much cleaner, fairly soapy, and heavily powdery, the leather note backed up by an ambery-floral accord. It's quite rich, tenacious, and powerful.

I probably could have written volumes on this fragrance when I loved it, but I feel indifferent to it now that I've smelled - in my opinion - more fragrances and much better leathers.

A really dark leather scent, which is primarily accompanied by an interesting floral (rose) and a rich amber note.
Like Trebor and Squirt I notice a whiff of petroleum/turpentine right from the start, too. This might be due to the
combination of the extraordinarily high amount of amber and leather notes in combination with the bitter petitgrain.
The opening is very harsh and aggressive, which is typical for this genre I think. I prefer the softer version like in Dzing! as
an example. But the real leather rooter can't ignore KT.

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]

i was sincerely hoping this odd mix would work. and appreciate it though i do, it made my stomach turn ever so slightly. i gave it a few days, though, and tried again. and again, my stomach held fast to what my mind didn't want to accept. it just doesn't work for me.

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.

Wore this some years ago now and it nearly blew my head off. Hey, come on, I am not going to 'mist' it and hope some droplets fall on my skin -- it will outlive me. KT is a lovely leather and would be even lovelier without the petroly note. It's too potent though -- I don't want to be scared to spray. Similar in power to Tabac Blond, which I also can't wear, but less harsh. REL by Creed and Cuiron are preferable. Won't thumbs down though.

Crack the whip, feel the bite of sharp bitter leather. This is a policeman’s shiny, black, leather shoes. Decidedly manly. I could see this as rugged and sexy on a man, but on a woman, it’s going to come across as kinky. High marks for being unique in this day and age, but a neutral rating because I’m not sure how it would wear in reality. I have no volunteers to demonstrate, and it’s a bit harsh on me.

The last "fragg" comment was hideous. Some have no nose.

Found in the Bahamas in a sampler. Lovely, refined, "earthy-dry leather." I have had more comments on this fragrance than any worn. Women love this scent, which "morphs" as time passes. Long lasting, but subtle and different as the day wears on. Podery-leather best describes it, but it is much more complex. It lasts.

Ah..Knize Ten. Back in the sixties and my youth, I discovered the Caswell-Massey catalog.

Full of old black and white etchings ..humorous and compelling they led me to Knize Ten.

I was intrigued and so I tried it.

I didn't know what to think,my olfactory palette was unsophisticated but I remember well the blend of leathery spice.

Many years passed and today I still have a bottle of Knize in my collection.

Nothing smells like Ten..it is what it is and one may have a Love -Hate relationship with it.

Foetidus is quite correct,applied gently it mantains a sophistication that defies age.

I too,have layered different colognes....Caswell-masseys patchouli makes a nice base for experimentation, but Knize alone and layered is a true king.

Released in 1924, Knize Ten certainly has a lot of history behind it. Its a leather powerhouse with a few caveats.

The opening accord is a burst of assorted citrus notes which resemble the smooth mandarin-dominated accord of another leather classic, Creed Royal English Leather, except not as smooth or rich. Despite what the notes pyramid indicates, the leather makes its presence felt almost immediately. Its a powerful pungent leather note which unfortunately does smells quite a bit like turpentine. Its not the most appealing leather note, and it actually distracts from the overall construction which is extremely well blended. The supporting citrus, wood and floral notes do a good job of toning down the intense acerbic leather, but I think it will bother quite a lot of people. Some may wonder, why bother? The same effect can be had by spending time in a crusty car garage meddling with various motor oils and tools.


The trick to enjoying Knize Ten is to:

1) Wear it in cool weather
2) Mist instead of spraying

If you follow those two rules, you will enjoy the depth and complexity that this leather classic has to offer. Longevity is excellent. But can people look past its brash and corrosive leather note? Knize Ten has an attractive exterior with a heart of stone.

Not a great fan of this one. I do appreciate the status of it as well as the unique character, but I simply find it very unwearable.
The connection to Tabac Blond is obvious. They both are filled up with castoreum, having that extremely rugged leather aroma. And, I can`t help myself to see some resemblance to some sort of chemichals; glue or perhaps paint thinner. Really, smells like some stiff and old leather jacket wasdipped into a bucket full of turpentine!
Drydown softens this quite a bit, developing even some (herbal) soapy accords. Lasting power is good, no doubt.

Admirable in way yes, but for me not even close to be wearable.

I'm conflicted on this scent. It's powerful, and it lasts all day - which for me, is a minor miracle since my skin doesn't tend to hold a scent very long. Its also a scent that is uncommon. That's great because I'm unique and want a fragrance that isn't just like what everybody else is wearing.
Now for the downside. I don't get that great smell of smooth leather that so many of the reviewers report. For me, the smell that predominates reminds of bandaids, linament, and burning rubber, with some powder overtones. As the day goes on, the powder becomes the dominant note, which is OK. The scent isn't bad per se, but it has enough negative notes to turn me off of it a bit. I'm not sure how people around me percieve the scent. I don't get comments on it. This is both good and bad I guess.