Tinderbox

Often it's said that cedar-dominant fragrances smell like pencil shavings. There is always some truth to that, but there is usually much more going on, be it something floral, sweet, or balsamic. Tinderbox is that pencil shaving theme expanded into a full fragrance without any fluff. Theres heavy, dark cedar chips, a metallic rust smell (from the blade of course) and some dirty spice that represents the fine dust of old graphite and waxy colored-pencil leads. ... It smells more like a pencil sharpener than literally anything fragrance I've ever encountered. Thankfully, I am an artist and I passionately love the dirty bouquet of a freshly sharpened ticonderoga, as well as metallic notes, and cedar in all forms. While its not overly strong or powerful, it comes across as very dry because theres nothing that "tempers" it. No "creamy sandalwood" like in so many other cedar frags (yawn), no vanilla to sweeten it. Just a pencil sharpener. Dirty, metallic, almost-but-not-quite aggressive pencil sharpener. With that in mind this one is not for everyone as its quite one-note. It is not a complex composition at all. What I interpret as streamlined and utilitarian could easily be perceived as unfinished or amateur. If you smelled Andrea Maack's Coal and you were annoyed by how likable and sweet it was, this one might satisfy your lust for an artists perfume. It's a much better value as well considering this lasts longer and is cheaper. 7.5/10