Knize Sec
by Knize

Launched in 1985 Sec has a drastically dry citrus/frankincense/sage opening enriched in the drydown by amber, shy flowery accords, a remarkable coriander note and hints of leather. Sort of a dried to the bone Knize Ten. Not very much to add as this composition is quite simple and linear yet incredibly satisfying. Maybe not one of the most distinctive perfumes around but If you're into straight-forward, austere frankincense fragrances you'll probably dig this. I do.

15th May, 2011. (Last Edited: 7th December, 2011.)

The opening of Knize Sec shows a strong Knize Ten/Sec family resemblance. But where Ten goes heavy leather, Sec strikes a milder but full-bodied leather/tobacco pose. There’s also a citrus note right up front.

Sec. The name might be unimaginative, but it’s right on. Sec has a gorgeous, arid character that reminds me that dry is not the antithesis of rich. Dryness here is a focused robustness that develops over time. As the green citrus recedes, Sec actually becomes a bit of a white floral (jasmine? violet?) What seems like a few simple parts play off each other beautifully. The white flower bit somehow ties the leather/tobacco to a rising incense and amber base. The frankincense connects to the citrus, the tobacco to the dry amber. So tidy. And a text-book example of an engaging evolution over time. I’d recommend this to a man who likes a simple (as in non-fussy) fragrance but enjoys depth as well.

22nd March, 2011. (Last Edited: 25th March, 2011.)

I get a rather dusty incense laden citrusy opening -- slightly odd but not unpleasant. It then plunges into a light leather and floral mix with the incense hanging on in the background. The drydown is a solid ambery leather/light wood mix with a touch of sweetness. Rather than an etiolated version of Knize Ten, it's more of a 'Nostalgia' Lite to my nose. Wonderful.

6th October, 2010.

I always find Knize fragrances to be very challenging, and Sec is no exception. It’s a highly engaging production, which despite a difficult early phase, ultimately succeeds. The problematic opening is a sour, medicinal fusion of flat citrus elements and fusty herbals. Thankfully, beyond the troublesome beginning, an arid stage is ushered in, with strong incense and labdanum contributions.The balance is excellent, and the discordance evident earlier, is replaced with balance, depth and intrigue.This upward trend in quality continues into the dry down, which is powdery and reminiscent of aged leather and tobacco. It took me a while to “get” Knize Sec, but it was well worth the effort

15th December, 2009.

Knize Sec is a bright citrus and frankincense composition that's marked by its transparency and by the sheer simplicity of its structure. Besides the central citrus and incense accord, Knize Sec's most notable feature is a conspicuous sage note, which in conjunction with the labdanum-rich amber in the scent's foundation lends a faintly urinous tang, the likes of which can also be found in certain rich fougeres. (Jules and Lauder for Men come to mind.) Some may object to it, but in my opinion it's just this somewhat off-kilter animalic tang that rescues Knize Sec from banality. Without it there would be little to distinguish it from any number of other transparent frankincense fragrances, Avignon and Heeley's Cardinal not least among them. Even so, Knize Sec is far from a groundbreaking scent, and it's playing in a very crowded field, which makes it hard for me to get too excited about it.

12nd December, 2009.

Very dry citrus and incense. Floral notes, too, probably spiced up jasmine or carnation. There's a touch of resinous leather but not really leatherl it's too mixed with the incense accord. For something obsequiously strong, it doesn't seem to last for long. I don't believe it's due to olfactory fatigue because I asked someone if they can smell my cologne (this was 4 hours after applying to my chest/shirt) and they said there was a faint hint of fabric softener. Welp... it was a freshly washed shirt.

24th November, 2009.