Knize Ten

How can a fragrance that's over a century old and pretty much unchanged still be so outstanding in today's world! It's such a wonderful scent that will make any modern man stand out amongst the crowd. A powerful leather, animalic chypre that performs strongly all around. Delivering an initial blast of citrus, geranium, aromatics and carnation with the myriad of heart and base notes already very detectable too, waiting in the wings to take centre stage. The magic of Knize ten is that the opening never fully leaves as it morphs into a heart of florals, woods, spices and so much more . At this stage there is a strong violet note to me, although not in the official ingredients! Then the big, bold beautiful base of this incredible piece of art becomes more prominent, still somehow never fully overpowering the gorgeous opening and mid notes. Make no bones though, you'll not escape the leather, oakmoss, castoreum and musk but wonderfully balanced with amber and a touch of vanilla I think! The leather note is quite possibly the finest of any Chypre, in fact any scent I've encountered. If you like modern, generic profiles this may not be for you but if you are open minded, like a touch (or massive hit) of the classics then you may strike gold, I did. It's not the same but has essences of RP Polo, Kouros, anteus as well as the delicate florals and citrus notes of brands like Floris! It's none of these and yet all of them. Intrigued? You should be, truly a one off creation. It's blended to perfection and beyond, offering an aroma and performance that any high end niche house would be proud of. It's just sublime. This is definitely a man's scent, a fellow who's all about excellence and has a strong identity. This is going to sound contradictory but I believe it's truly for a man 30 upwards who has done well for himself and will continue to do so! Why the contradiction? I have to fight my 18 year old daughter over this scent, especially when it's temperate weather, she is smitten and is buying herself a bottle....at my request. 😆 Knize ten excels anytime except extreme heat. Now, I wear this whenever I get the opportunity. Even just at home as it's so amazing in its refinement and craft, it lifts my soul. If I'm going anywhere at all, this is always right at the top for consideration, often winning. Truly one of the very best perfumes ever created in my opinion, of course you may not agree...and that is the beauty of perfumery. It's incredible value and worth seeking out but definitely not a blind buy, is any fragrance! In summary, it's very distinctive, great performing and sits right at the top of the perfumery tree.

This legend (purportedly) turns 100 this year, so I thought that a little review on the centennial was in order; especially since I finally scored a bottle for myself. A bit of history first. In 1924, K10 was launched in one of the most vibrant, bustling, sexually exuberant, intellectually effervescent, and culturally influential metropolises in the Western world (a mere few years before it all went to fascist shit): Vienna. The commissioner: Joseph Kniže, founder of the house and tailor of the Royal Court. The noses: François Coty (father of all modern perfumery) and Vincent Roubert (eventual creator of Iris Gris). The original dream team. Fast forward a century. K10 is still in production, still in the game, still beloved by the faithful. Its legendary status notwithstanding, I wasn’t sure what to expect. On the one hand, it’s an institution: vaunted as the first dry leather masculine, on which all subsequent masculine leathers would be directly or indirectly based: the reference leather. On the other hand, it has innumerable disappointed detractors (scroll below) who claim that today’s juice has been irreparably corrupted, smelling more like a hot chemical mess or a cheap floral air freshener or a bunch of used urinal cakes in a highway rest stop (“but without the redeeming qualities of Kouros”), than the alleged “granddaddy of all leathers.” Ok. So what does it smell like? Ehem. I’m elated (and relieved) to report that I am resolutely not in the camp of the detractors. This. Juice. Smells. GREAT. It opens with a hesperidic burst of rosemary and citruses that are very subtly laced with petrol. [Parenthesis: there’s a red berry effect here that I admit reminds me of Tuscan Leather for a minute, before moving on. I haven’t seen anyone else point it out. Is it just me?] A bouquet of piquant flowers suddenly envelops you like velvet curtains: rose, indolic jasmine, clove carnation... as a chorus of animalics begins to growl and purr. The main act: a sultry, semi-sweet, full grain leather that is sweaty and sensual and oh-so-addictive. And that’s not all. I detect rubber. I don’t mean ironic or pretend rubber (hello, Tom of Finland), but actual, residing-in-a-1920s-Viennese-dungeon, skin tight, odorous, wet-and-slippery, inherently kinky, black, fucking rubber. I pledge allegiance.

Its difficult to write a review about knize ten. Seems pretty pointless to talk about specific notes and elements here. Some people seem to associate this one with a leather jacket, aviator shades and a motorcycle. Some other picture an aristocrat in a tailored suit. I tend to go with the latter, considering the house that sells it is known for making 7000€ tailored suits. Knize ten smells like wealth & class. It smells like inherited money, not earned money. Very european, very continental. The gentleman who wears it probably also carries a sigil ring and never leaves the house in jeans & t shirt. He would rather have his ears cut off and eyes gauged out before watching something like the eurovision song contest or reading an article about the kardashians. This is the smell of an era gone by. It recalls upon the former glory of the austro-hungarian monarchy. It has a certain sadness and nostalgia to it, reminiscent of a world that once was and never will be again. The gent who wears it is the last line of defense of the classic western man against the modern millennial non binary human being. It’s extremely cultured, well mannered and elegant. Almost too perfect, too charming, too “perfumish” which gives it an almost menacing , authoritive vibe. I can picture hans landa from inglorious bastards wearing k10. The perfume clearly is a work of art, the craftsmanship that went into this is beyond 95% of everything produced today. It’s like a beethoven symphony or a picture like The Godfather. Timeless classic. You don’t have to like it, just don’t hate it for the wrong reasons. It may be not your taste but one cant say that it’s badly made. Little advice: you need to smell this in the air, from a distance. The scent you get when you bury your nose into the sprayed area of your arm has little to do with the whiffs other people will get when they’re around you. This will always have a special place in my heart, it’s the very soul of my hometown vienna in a bottle, always longing for a former glory that has vanished into history books. But knize ten, as the ringstraße or schönbrunn or the stephansdom stand there as silent reminders of that bygone era. It puts a smile upon my face, with a hint of sadness.

I bought Knize Ten early in the summer and wore it a few times. I recently wore it for the first time since the cooler weather began. At first there is a loud blast of floral leather. The first hour or two can almost feel overpowering. It is a very dry leather, almost harsh but there is something sweet that makes it beautiful. I sprayed myself early in the morning then went about my business. At some point later in the morning I caught myself thinking: this is the best fragrance I have smelled. Then I remembered I had thought the same after wearing KT for the second time during the summer. The first time I wore it almost put me off for life – it can take a wearing or two to “get it” (that's not to say it will be to everyone's taste of course). In cooler weather KT will last the whole day long. It also develops and goes through various phases. At some point the initial brightness calms down a little and something becomes apparent that is dense, almost greasy; in a very good way. I get a similar effect in the dry down of L'Air du Dessert M. I'm wondering if it is ambergris, whether real or synthetic. I am unlikely to find a fragrance I love more than this so the only real issue for me is the volume. Over time I have become more and more conscious of over-projecting – although it hasn't stopped me from buying, for example, Carnal Flower. I get the feeling that after one squirt of KT I'm radiating enough to fill a modestly sized concert hall with this wonderful scent. Not a bad thing in theory but of course some other concert goers might be impertinent enough to wear their own scents thereby ruining the effect. The result would most likely be some unsavoury blend that would, at some point, float onto the stage sending panic signals around the orchestra. If a highly strung diva in full flight were to catch the scent the results could be catastrophic. The solution, for me at least, is to pick the right time to apply. That is to say not five minutes before taking my seat at a sold out Royal Opera House performance. It would be better left for a lazy weekend with several hours of lounging before going out and mingling with the general public.

I have a question for you, and the answer will determine whether you should seek out Knize Ten. The question sounds completely obvious, but half will answer one way and half the other, like one of those viral memes where what we see or hear splits us surprisingly into two camps. The question is this: is perfume an art form, like film, poetry or visual art, or is it functional, like makeup or food? The latter camp is a much easier place to be, especially in the intellectually stunted world of men’s designer fragrance counters. In this place, there is no centering historical consciousness, only the frontier of current trends. It’s akin to enjoying a dish at a restaurant similar enough to any other, just feeding people what they want today, as opposed to viewing an artwork in a museum, bringing one’s own knowledge of history, interpretation and technique to get the most of the work’s unique impact. And let’s face it, being a guy in the “art” camp is a hassle. You have to actively seek out non-designer scents to build your own knowledge of genres, trends, materials etc. And learning the history is especially hard - outside of going to the perfume museum in Paris or taking chances on vintage bottles, you only have writings which can never replace experience, like trying to learn the history of fine cuisine by reading old cookbooks while subsisting on Pop-Tarts. Well Knize Ten is a chance to have a bit of that museum experience on your own shelf. A beautiful 1920s masculine floral/animalic, so far from current trends that it has completed its historical journey from trendy to outdated to unfamiliar, and now we can experience it anew. It takes me to an Austria of a century past, with massive amounts of masculine florals (well beyond today’s typical masculine) and a soft powdery leather (orris/castoreum) giving a somewhat sporty feel, evoking handlebar-mustachioed men working out with leather medicine balls in a boxing gym, before they shower and return to the streets of Vienna in dandified formal clothes. If any of that interests you, for god’s sake give it a try. It’s cheaper than a museum-hopping trip to Paris.

While using my friends bathroom I snooped to see what frags he owns. And I'm so glad I did! Afterwards I acted stupid and asked him what he wears. "Knieze 10" he replied. "Oh, I've never heard of that. Can I see it?" I lied. The with one sniff my mind was blown. You will not find K10 just hanging out on shelves, waiting to be bought. K 10 waits for no one. You must search for it, knowing that somewhere out there is a fragrance worthy of owning. It was born to grace the bodies of royalty- those who are confident and understand what power, class and raw elegance is all about. This timeless blend of leather, castoreum, ego and style were masterfully crafted by a true alchemist. Someone who understood the human psyche as well as the fine art of perfumerie. K-10 makes Aramis seem like it should have tried harder. It is old school but far above and beyond anything that you might consider "grandpa's" old juice. The animalic and leather notes are consistent throughout its life. But the fruit and floral notes are able to stand up to the base notes in a way that compliments them which is quite impressive. I have never tried anything as powerful, confident, rich, and well blended as K10. I doubt that I will invest in a bottle personally. It fits my friends personality perfectly, but not mine. Pity. Its a Ferrari and I can only handle a Porsche. For the mature, confident person who does not care for aquatics or other people's opinions. Extremely masculine in the classic sense. But the right woman could wear this. I first found it in a travel sprayer and couldn't decide if was masculine or feminine. Only that I needed a subtle way to find out without making myself look like a nosey creep. Find it, try it if you dare. Let its ethers flow through you nasal cavities and your soul. Its raw, primal beauty will astound you. !0 out of !0/ a masterpiece. Not a blind buy unless you have ample spare cash.

A love or hate, totally iconic, scent and possibly one of the best masculine fragrances ever produced. Knize Ten makes a great example of the concept "expensive doesn't always mean good" as it is very reasonably priced and at the same time better than almost any other more expensive leather-themed composition available on the market. An archetypal perfume and one of the very few pre-WWII leather compositions who carefully avoided disastrous reformulation*. Made by Franoise Coty and Vincent Roubert, Knize Ten is a pillar of the early 900 perfumery and something we all should preserve from oblivion. The opening is litterally shocking (to me in a good way, but can be challenging to someone) with a severe and breathtaking explosion of leather. If you like it, fine, if you don't, just hang in there for a while as in the drydown Knize Ten turns into an incredibly comfortable and wearable scent. A magnifically rounded amber smooths the ever dominant animalic leather adjusting the initial severity and harshness with some warmness. Floral patterns (ylang-ylang and jasmine), some spices and woods reinforce the general classic vein while the infamous gasoline-like leather note merges with the rest to give birth to a rich blend that feels assertive and relaxed at the same time. Absolutely distinctive. Knize Ten became the benchmark of masculine leather fragrances and after eighty years it's still one of the most successful and most copied compositions ever. An all time favourite and a great example that perfection is ageless. Like it or not, there's only one like it. * Unfortunately, Knize Ten has been recently reformulated...and not for the best. It's still head and shoulders above the average quality available amongst standard niche offerings but it feels overall sharper and thinner. I don't know when this exactly happened but it was sometime between 2013 and 2014. Rating: 10/10

Knize Tens March of 2013, barely a year into the serious fragrance hobby, I acquired a bottle of Knize Ten after maybe two spritzes and 15 minutes. Oh, I had read plenty on it beforehand from bloggers all over and I had seen reviews by other members online. “The leather standard,” some would call it. Even Luca Turin, The Godfather of fragrance, gave it high marks for uniqueness. Later, I was (briefly) the proud owner of an older vintage bottle. Sadly, it didn’t survive my clumsiness and, before I could get it dated, I had knocked it over the bathroom counter and it went crashing onto the floor, spilling its treasured contents all over cheap linoleum. Yes, I beat myself up over this memory as a cautionary tale to never be so careless, clueless, or in such a hurry again. This vintage was deeper, spicier, boozier, and dirtier than my 2013 bottle; not by a ton, but by enough to warrant the hefty finder’s fee. Alas, I have it no longer to compare. But back to what’s currently at hand. I have a more current Knize Ten, probably within the last year or so (2018-ish), and it’s distinctly different to my nose. Some have commented that there’s a noticeable lack of oakmoss; I tend to agree. It’s also softer, soapier, and a tad musky instead of dirty. It’s still spicy, but whereas the previous incarnation evoked images of rough bikers in their leather, this Knize Ten seems more like a Five. It’s airier, which some may find more accessible, and something about its soapiness translates into a little bit of barbershop to me. It’s not bad; it’s just not the raunchy, rough leather I had gotten to know and love. Knize Five (Knize Ten, current formula) feels like a flanker of Knize Ten to me, and that’s not all bad. I’m sure I’ll find occasions to wear this one as well. Maybe it just needs more time.

Smells Classic and mature. Tons of leather, garage/oil aroma, some wood, a pint of smoke and musk with an "orange" on top as the previous reviewer described. Somehow, reminds me of Boss Number 1 without all that sweet honey from and more oil and smoke smell into it instead with citric note added. And Knize ten has a better dry down (unfortunally Boss number one these days has a dry down which is miles below the initial opening which is nice as it only gets worse with time becoming too powdery and cheap smelling. What a shame when compared to the 90s version. You have to keep spraying to mantain it fresh because that ́s when it ́s great). Back to Knize ten : this was a bind buy as there ́s no other way to get it where I live. The smell is in line with all the descriptions below. I bought the 30ml bottle but easily will go with the 125ml bottle EDT or after-shave when this one goes empty. Not sure if this is office fiendly but I am wearing it today! The smell is changing with time and it ́s a keeper. Just don ́t push it too much while in the office. I would recommend "less is more" with this one in all occasions. Looks like you can easily wear it in 2021, but in no way this is a young boys scent. 40+ is my recommendation. It doesn ́t fall into the category of scents which everyone likes these days (Sauvage, Paco Rabanne One million, etc). You know what I mean. But if you, your wife or girlfriend love it... for sure it ́s because they really do and you will stand out and mark your position. It give you an identity.

In my eternal quest for the ultimate leather fragrance I have now managed to source some Knize Ten, which so many claim to be one of the most authentic leathers out there. After applying, the opening notes for me are VERY leathery (and a nice, bitter leather unlike the sweet lether of, say, Tuscan Leather) topped with powerful petroleum and shoe-polish notes...so far, so good and JUST what I have been looking for....it really conjured up images of well-polished black leather shoes or a biker jacket worn by a greaser mechanic... However, we all know how different scents can be experienced in very different ways by other people. In this case my partner, who also loves leathery fragrances, found Knize Ten to be very powdery and with a persistent violet note (which I admit I also detect)...he works in a care home for the elderly and to him this was very reminiscent of old ladies' violet-scented talcum powder.....which isn't perhaps what a man really wants to smell of (or a lady for that matter) The sillage on this is really quite strong, and once smelt, it is hard to "unsmell" (the day after I tried it I was walking across the forecourt of a petrol/gas station and all I could smell was Knize, the illusion conjured up by the faint aroma of real petrol and diesel). Longevity is also excellent, with 12 hours+ easily possible on me. On balance, I like this a lot and if you are a fan of petrol/leather scents like Dior Fahrenheit or even Axe Peace then do try this as it seems to have similar accords.

Oh goody, another one where there are dozens of reviews complaining about how newer versions "just don't smell the same" without regard to the natural process of aging and how that might reflect in the top notes flattening and base notes intensifying in perhaps an unintended manner. I am so over these discussions as I have come to see them more as a pissing match of sorts: who can outdo others in having the authentic artifact. As someone who has spent much time and hard-earned money on vintages, often wasting said hard-earned money or spending far too much time at post offices with returns—if they are even permitted—I am over it. I am over caring. I have a 2018 bottle of Knize Ten and it's my first acquaintance with it and I love it for what it is. Warm, rich, vivacious top notes of bergamot and geranium blooming into that seminal IBQ leather and the castoreum accord (is it real castoreum? Whatever). It's potent, pungent, powdery, with rubbery florals, and I feel like a million bucks when wearing it. Simple enough, right? I think I've exhausted my desire to spout out a florid exegesis. I shall not pontificate here. I've done over a thousand written reviews and sometimes I just gotta K.I.S.S.: keep it simple, stupid. Wearing Knize Ten is stimulating my brain to be all giddy for the autumn season and now I am feeling sentimental for the holidays. This is what wearing fragrance should be all about.

Very smooth leather best used in the coolest months as this is a cozy scent and gives a sense of warmth in the below 10 degrees Celsius temperature. This is not for summer for sure. I believe i have the older formulation as the juice is darker although i have tried the lighter color juice which is the new formulation. And it is still amazing, i actually prefer it equally if not more. There is a small difference though, the newer formula has more citrus in the opening and is slightly less waxy in the opening compared to the older formula. I might be in the minority but i actually prefer the new formula for K10 but only by a bit. I have tried them side by side and lasting power is neck and neck. The leather is slightly stronger in the new formula to my nose. Hopefully when i run out i get my hands on the new formulation. Either way i'm happy as i like both. This is not anywhere near as animalic as ELDO Rien. Knize 10 smells like a leather factory where they make fine Italian leather coats. I know this smell since my dad used to make leather coats with Italian leather and i used to visit him in the factory and knize 10 takes me back to those times, the only leather scent to do that so far. Update: After a few more wearings of the vintage and the current/new formulation. i prefer the new formulation by far, it is less floral more leather also smells a little more modern compared to the vintage.

Let me start by saying that the fist time I wore Knize Ten, I did not care for it. The strong floral opening really threw me off so I abandoned this scent. Fast forward to present day and a fellow fragrance head of mine said to me... "I don't understand why you don't just love Knize Ten. You love Bel Ami and Floris Mahon Leather, you SHOULD love this one as well." Thinking about that statement I said to myself "Self, you really should give this one another try." So I wore this one again today. It has a very strong floral / herbal opening that is a bit on the feminine side as I remembered. "I am not impressed. Nope! not for me." I thought as I headed out the door to work this morning. Fast forward about 2 hours later and I start to get a spicy, dry, slightly powdery leather scent. Hmmm... that is better. Over the next few hours, Knize Ten starts to open up and become more complex on my skin. Dare I say it... but I am beginning to like this. The leather starts to shine with a bit of a barbershop vibe. OK, I like this... After about 10 hours it is still going strong, much more of an old school vibe, a complex masculine leather at this point. Ok, I REALLY like this one! This is a great scent, especially for an older guy like myself, but you will have to hang in there for a couple of hours to get past the floral phase IMO. Once you do.. it is heavenly.

A classic!? Indeed, with great effects! Launched during the 1920s and created by Vincent Roubert and Francois Coty. This water is not a masculine water (very often cumbersome these days...) It is rather a "warm" mixed water, very elegant and refined... It is worthy of these flowers, aromas, ambers, spices and leather, of the great houses that still have a storefront today. Round, warm, slightly powdery, floral and spicy notes... Nothing is stuffy! It has something retro! Nothing old! The subtlety of "Belle Epoque" atmospheres... It's even comforting water for cooler, colder days. It expresses a warmth near a chimney fire, in a large mansion house, Gothic Tudor style. It wonderfully suggests a peaceful and serene time; when, this time could be that of passionate, benevolent discussions on the new species of roses to be planted ... discussions and reading of gazettes on a sofa with tweed throws, accompanied by bergamot tea, cinnamon pastry, marmalade of orange... It brings a comforting solid and finely sophisticated architecture. I hadn't felt such emotions (emotions) for 30 years... @DomfromBE and the others, it has "a background with false airs of Guerlain, powdery like "L'Heure Bleue" but spicy all at the same time as Mitsouko can be"... A false air of KL by Karl Largerfel, spicy amber... Knize Ten is above all herself! A wonder...

As a wet shaving fan, having exposed myself to MANY aftershave classics and even new offerings from the niche/indy shaving brands, I am surprised I never dabbled in this house? Got this on a whim, expected very little. I put it on and was very surprised, opens a little citrus and faint diesel, leading me into a older style scent profile, but then a powdery leather turn as it settles into a masculine (rather linear) base. When I put my nose into it I get this underlying classic powdery fougere, with just a touch of sweetness. In the air, a much more masculine leather talc powder affair. For me, this is surprisingly good. It really just works in a way that screams signature scent, I almost feel that if I had discovered it sooner my collection may have stopped? I like the newer “gourmand” scents, I even love wearing them, but in the end I just don’t feel they fit me? I am too old for them, they are fun, but just a touch juvenile. I have multiple coats I bought for myself from the late 80’s to early 2000. I chose them carefully for function and some style, but not with the trends of the time. I throw these coats on from time to time and get compliments on them pretty much without fail. This fragrance is like that old coat that catches attention in current day trends, and surprises with just how well you can pull it off.

Knize Ten is a varied yet harmoniously balanced composition of the urbane grace of its time, yet thankfully fitting for modernity. Not only is it a powdery, racy, diesel fume wrapped in a floral bouquet that is guilelessly dashing; it is an original leather signature unlike any other. Here the base is a triple sided beauty that is piquantly inviting, aromatically sweet and decoratively animalic; reining in predominately citrus wafts into a dusty, fruity, floral bed, before sharing an understated, mossy, beaver sac that beautifully levels and refines the composition with vigour. This iconic leather fragrance, essentially a niche, continues to hold up after a century for the very reason that it is effortlessly blended, with each brilliant nuance measuring up so evenly. Given the number in this genre that are proportionately imbalanced, that end up like rustic haberdasheries, tannery polish, or smoked bits, Knize Ten’s vibrancy, grandeur and grace is truly unmatched. May this Coty/Roubert concoction of bottled elegance grace us for another 100 years or more. Certainly, anyone who enjoys the 20th century classics and collective perfumery should embrace this grand-daddy with panache and flair...Hats off!

To me, Knize Ten is not a perfume. It is a tasteful accessory. It falls in the same category of unusual, but exquisite items like the JLC Reverso, Montblanc 149, or a John Lobb William. Knize Ten is a fundamentally classic fragrance. Unchanged since the 1920′s, it had inspired a whole genre of leather fragrances, which then themselves became classics. Etro’s Goma, and Serge Lutens’ Cuir Mauresque come to mind. Ninety years later, Knize Ten, being as modern as a 90 year old, retains a large following. The reason behind its success is an understated elegance. After all, this fragrance was created by one of the finest suit makers of the day, in a historic period when all men wore hats, jeans were reserved for yard work, and sneakers could not be conceived off. As far as the scent is concerned, it is a violent leather with oil, gasoline, spices and amber. Terribly difficult to wear, temperamental, enormous, willful, and overpowering, it has that rare attribute of a masterpiece: it comes alive on the skin. This leathery beast gets a 10/10. Veteverian.wordpress.com

I kept holding off on buying this. I had sampled it and enjoyed the smoky, mossy, resinous and semi-sweet saddle-soap leather aroma (castoreum is there but nicely tamed). But I knew I could always buy it. Not only is there Knize Ten Original, but also Gold Edition, Sec, Forest, and Two in sizes ranging from 50ml to 225ml. Gold Edition is delicious. It's softer than Ten. A nice flanker. But for me, Ten is king in the realm of Knize. Btw, Forest is quite good (like a flanker to Green Irish Tweed), but Sec (too astringent and dusty) and Two are a bit disappointing. If you're a man and enjoy leather fragrances, you should make a point of having some Knize Ten in your collection. Seriously. If this fragrance is a bit too strong for you, then go with Etro Gomma. It's close enough to make you think you've got Knize Ten, but it has an interesting reduction of notes that creates a slightly different feeling, a more wearable one. I'm glad I own both. Fragrance: 9.5, Longevity: 8, Value: 8.5

There are lots of people who hate this perfume. And lots of people who like it. I am the one who like it. Patou pour homme, Rochas Macassar, Rochas Monsieur, Lancome Balafre, Dior Jules, Gucci Pour Homme, Gucci Nobile, Hermes Equipage, Balmain Ebene, and so on. All of them are great. But this is maybe the best perfume which was ever created. Leather and soap. Edit: Knize is one of the most complex scents I know. It ́s absolutely justified that Knize was one of the first perfume made for men and still stay with us. Knize opens with leather and flowers, slightly sweetish. Some untrained noses may react negative. But I get a bitumen like base. After about 3 hours on warm skin Knize changes to a beautiful amber, castoreum combination. Very warm. Sensual. Knize lasts like its age. For hours and hours and hours. I get over 12 hours and thats crazy, because most perfumes last only a few hours, even expensive ones. My review is based on a spray bottle from the time before the Millenium.

Knize Ten has this rewarding dustiness and understated animalic character that exudes class and history. I know that I am experiencing heritage when I spray this on, and can see how such a fragrance has garnered much acclaim. It embodies the characteristics of a leather frag while pulling the punches and allowing the florals to breathe and blossom. The castoreum, while more than evident, does not suffocate the rose, carnation, and orange blossom, lending a dynamism that is often blurred in similar heavy hitter leathers. It is resonant, but does not scream; it has sillage, but does not have a fumigating effect. The dry down reveals for more of its animalics and quinolines, but remains aromatic and round. There also seems to be, while not listed as a note, a shade of violet in the heart that is a lovely accompaniment that counterbalances the tarry and jagged qualities of the leather accord. Knize Ten is a beguiling piece of history and a real pleasure to wear.

I never tried a vintage or earlier formulation so my first try of the well-known Knize Ten by Knize comes from the latest formulation, but the juice is still excellent. Easily recognizable from its sharp opening as belonging to the same broad family of midcentury classics as Dior Eau Sauvage and Chanel Pour Monsieur, Knize Ten boldly heads into leathery territory where the other two bow out as just being citrus/floral/spicy mixes. It's certainly a much more agreeable leather fragrance than most other leather fragrances, though, given the citrus and woody elements that complement the leather. The note breakdown consists primarily of an herbal/citrus opening giving way to spicy/floral heart and leathery/musky/woody base. Knize Ten performs excellently, as well, particularly as an EDT in a field of typically higher-concentrated fragrances nowadays. And at $75 for 50ml and $120 for 125ml, it's reasonably priced even at retail. 8 out of 10

A blind buy and complete discovery. I've only had it for two hours and I can't wait to say how much I love it. It seems that it rolls into one all things I like from many perfumes without the bad sides. It's leathery indeed, but it's a Belami I'd dare to wear in the summer. It's got that barber shop soapy feel but not overbearing and old fashioned like Paco Rabanne pour Homme. It's dandy-esque and floral like Mouchoir de Monsieur Guerlain and Penhaligon's Hammam Bouquet but more masculine and wearable. It's got that bubblegum-amber smell like Karl Lagerfeld Cologne but much softer and not headache inducing. It doesn't have that herbal bitterness that setlles after a while with Caron's Yatagan. I also get that musc smell I got from a vintage Cabochard Parfum. The bergamot, lemon and petit grain are listed as top notes but they don't occupy the whole stage. I'll have to discover it and analize it much more but what a pleasant surprise!

I am a true fan of leather based perfumes, from Bandit to Azurée, from Jolie Madame to Cabochard, to Miss Balmain, to others in the same vein. So what's the point in adding Knize Ten to the collection? The point is that Knize Ten has a personality of his own, I would say he's Bandit's darling husband, yeah, what a couple! KT and Bandit stand out for being much stronger than the others in terms of personality. Some notes scattered here and here in both perfumes is what makes them totally different. Knize Ten has a light opening, there's such a light that the darkness which follows is totally unexpected. A pleasant surprise. Shadows start with rubber, smoke and end with tar where the darkness meets the end. I love scents which are are never taken for granted, those whose path surprises you at every step. A masterpiece, if you love this kind of scents this is obviously number one even if the name is Knize Ten!

I’ve been using this for decades and at all times of the year. Sometimes it’s easier to describe something starting from the end and working your way backwards. This is valid in this case because the dry down lasts for hours and hours, so it’s what someone would be smelling for most of the time. This is basically orange-centric (in fact a combo of orange, geranium and carnation) plus leather. A very luxurious leather and a very aromatic orange-centric note. There is a lot more going on, and you get whiffs of other nice things during a long 10 hour wear (with a good projection). The sharp note that people have commented on, I think it is the geranium (in combination with the other notes). Flowers can surprise you in that way. It is extremely refined and bright, one of the nicest colognes I’ve ever used, and I’ve tried a lot. How is it that a small shop in Vienna can outdo the big Paris brands, is beyond me.

Wonderful fragrance. Years are passing and this one is happily always there ... Before trying it, I thought it would be a brutal leather issued from an old garage with hot rod cars and beautiful hot mechanics around! Not at all! After a strong and powerfull opening, I smell leather of course, but spices and flowers too... Masterpiece, 10 /10 Je porte Knize Ten en ce moment, et je le trouve formidable. Un parfum à l’ancienne, très qualitatif, avec de la tenue. Là où il me sidère, c’est que je m’attendais à un cuir brutal, presque issu de l’atelier d’un garage, flaques d’huile au sol et Hot Rod capot ouvert, avec de décapants mécaniciens à l’ouvrage, le bleu ouvert sur le torse (oui, bon !)... Or rien de cela. Une fois l’ouverture passée, solide, puissante, je sens un fleuri épicé. Et c’est somptueux. Rien de plus à ajouter. Ah si, monumental chef d’œuvre. 10/10

Viennese refined (Francois Coty & Vincent Roubert, 1931) Bottle Design: Ernst Dryden Scentrack: Anton Karas - A Third Man Theme Knize Ten is a perfume of Central European well mannered gentlemen. Nothing explosive is here, every note is well polished. Leather with some oily aspect dominates from the opening. Warm amber, sandalwood and flowers and other notes are melted really nice. One of the last old school scents playing double game. In one moment leather has some sweet fruity undertones (strawberry), in next it reminds me of oily mechanic's garage. Possibly, most of modern fragrances owes something to this legend. Maybe the famous gasoline note of Fahrenheit was inspired by Knize. Antaeus definitely has a role model in Knize Ten. Mustaches, coffee, Sacher cake and Knize. A perfect Mittel European sunny weekend in old, imperial Vienna. Rating: 9/10

I finally found a bottle of Knize...it's definitely has a oily/sexy leather aroma. Both sandalwood and amber adds to the warm. Both woodsy/herbal and musky notes all add to the overall aroma. Patucchli and oakmoss just top off this fragrance. I agree with those who say that this juice is a deep masculine herbal/leathery aroma..a throw back from the early 70's. Longevity and Silage is extreme..one spray is plenty..lasting over 10hrs. Finally thoughts, At first sniff I thought that this juice is very similar to Hermes vintage Bel Ami. The leather notes in Knize is more prominent whereas in Bel Ami the leather..very similar just a tad lighter in my opinion. This juice is real OLD SCHOOL STUFF....love it, excellent for the late fall/winter months, the warmth of your skin makes this juice come alive. In two words LEATHER AND SEXY 10/10

Based on the reviews I was expecting masculine beast, what I got is beatiful pleasant smooth gentleman scent. I thought it will be kind of animalic, untamed, overbearing, but the only thing it screams is class. I’m fan of Kouros, Antaneus or Aramis, but all the three are much more challenging to wear and dated compared to Knize. The opening is deep and floral, you can smell carnation, rose, geranium - it reminds me a bit of Aramis Derby, but much more palatable. After a while, powdery moss with citruses takes the stage and we end with beautiful sweet leather that just binds and blends all the notes with your skin into one harmonious composition. I can see why it survived almost a century and kudos to Knize for staying true to its legacy irrespective of trends and crowd pleasing temptations.

People who like Knize Ten have sophisticated taste. It really is that simple. Novices invariably find it unappealing. That's no surprise. They immediately dislike it in the same way a child dislikes wine. It makes no difference that the wine in question is a fine vintage Bordeaux—their palette simply lacks the experience to form anything approaching a meaningful appraisal. But with time and perspective, you are able to appreciate—if not enjoy—Knize Ten as one of the greatest leathers in masculine perfumery. Every year, I look forward to Winter for no lesser reason than cold weather is the best time to experience and enjoy this Viennese classic. Ultimately, Knize Ten may not be your style—you don't have to love it—you just have to not hate it for the wrong reasons.

Ha, what a pick up! Man, oh man, I about missed out on this party I didn't know prices had risen like they have... When I first sprayed this, mind you the modern version perhaps 2017-ish, I felt like I had smelled this before. It finally hit me, I feel like I'm wearing Dior's Cuir Cannage! Sure enough, I check and there I see it Cuir Cannage in the "Reminds Me Of" section. Now I REALLY want to try some deep vintage Knize Ten. I can really appreciate the complexity and depth older fragrances bring to the table. I'm happy for now though, especially since I missed out on the recently discontinued Cuir Cannage. Knize Ten prices are really starting to increase. If you were ever on the fence, I'd pick up this little legend of a fragrance. I bet you'll be glad you did.

The first time I smelled this I knew I had to have it. It reminded me of when I bought a brand new pair of leather sports shoes. That smell of brand new leather shoes that goes away all too fast when you buy your shoes. That's this smell. Surely, that smell was around before modern leather footwear, so it wasn't derived from that. I'm sure other leather smells like that, but for me, the scent memory is of my new leather tennis shoes. I can't believe there is a mens fragrance that smells like that, but this is it. It's an awesome scent. One of my all time favorites. It just smells like class. This is like the Ferrari or Lamborgini of scents. There's not anything that smells like it also. If you want this scent, you have to buy the Knize 10.

A true marvel. I know reviewers who describe KT as an oily greasy in-your-face leather. But to me KT is really a massive Chypre (oakmoss/labdanum) with a sweetish note on top that reminds me of a strawberry tart. The base is strong, deep and radiant, and is not so far away from the new Mitsouko (2013), believe it or not. But the mid and top are different from that one. Leather is a side note, not at all pronounced as in Bel Ami or the also great 1740. I am sure there are lots of other notes in here as well, but cannot really separate them from one another. Best for winter time. Truly wonderful, classic, original, well blended, pleasing and incredibly long lasting (one spray will last you 3 days). 10/10 And girls, stay away. This is ours.

I imagine the streets of Vienna, decorated red geranium balconies, sunny weather and gentlemen reading newspapers while getting a shave at a barbershop in the 1920s. Knize is a sweet, floral fragrance. It has a waxy, oily quality and smells like chocolate pralines or dessert with vanilla sauce in a Viennese cafe. I can clearly detect spicy cinnamon, reminiscent of Austrian cinnamon rolls. Although an Austrian fragrance, I'm from neighbouring Bavaria and some notes remind me of my childhood (weirdly it is the face paint from kindergarden). I can see this fragrance being worn by men, as famously James Dean did, or women (here I'd like to imagine Hedy Lamarr 😉). Very long lasting. I get whiffs even on the next day.

I was so damn curious about this perfume as its history is so charming. The opening and the middle notes are very interesting, with a very strong bitter leather since the beginning with the right amount of sweetness. Unfortunately, after 2-3 hours the leather fades away and the sweetness becomes so powdery that it almost makes me gag. It also becomes more feminine as the leather is the base of its masculinity. It's quite powerful and long lasting so I can't really stand this on my skin during the dry down. If you like old school sweet unisex powderyness this might be your perfect dress up perfume, unfortunately it doesn't work for me.

I purchased a bottle of Knize Ten from Lucky Scent back in 2018 and fell in love with this gorgeous scent (review down below). Recently I purchased another bottle and then a second bottl and both are nothing like the devine 2018 version. Gone is the gorgeous sweet amber base that that pulled all the leathery goodness together. What remains is a brash petroleum-ish motor oil scent. K10 is nothing like it's former glory from just a few years ago. I'm extremely sad to say that without the Amber base note, I find my two recent purchases of Knize Ten to be extremely harsh and unwarerable. What a darn shame this is.😔

A slightly old-school, powdery leather - softer than Chanel's Cuir de Russie. It could easily be unisex though not for those who prefer sweet perfumes - there's nothing vanillic about it. It has a soapy edge and it's not too animalic. It's very French in its balance (though Knize are Austrian I think) - nothing stands out although it's complex. I love this on my partner - it has an elegant gentlemanly quality and though distinct it's actually easy on the nose - I can handle smelling it first thing in the morning for example. A beautifully blended powdery leather. Sillage and longevity perfect!

I have been looking for a "real" leather--one that's less refined than Mr. Blass, for instance. And I've found it. I get leather and a tar note. Unlike some other folks I don't get florals with this, except for carnation, which to me is an outlier floral anyway. I don't find it especially powdery, either... Overall, this was exactly what I was looking for in a leather. It's too emphatic for wearing in warm weather, but is a killer when it's under 60 Fahrenheit. My wife, who is older than I am, likes it on me a lot. It's distinguished and quite masculine. Scent: 8 Sillage: 8 Longevity: 9

Knize Ten... One of the most respected, well liked leather fragrances ever created. I knew I had to get my hands on a bottle. The more I wear it the more I have fallen in love with it! I find it to be very easy to wear in the colder months and a solid performer. Very unique. Scent - 10/10 Projection - 10/10 2 sprays is PLENTY trust me, 3 is pushing it. Longevity - 10/10 Over 12 hours easily Versatility - 9/10 Too thick for warm days but easy to wear to work, or casual or to your wedding. All and all an excellent fragrance and truly a must have for someone who enjoys leather fragrances

I am a girl and someone gave me a decant of this in a swap years ago even begore I got interested in perfume. I keep this and I sniff this and it makes me feel safe. This is the most amazing mens fragrance I have ever smelled but it is so strong and masculine and sexy. I think of a perfect rich husband smoking cigar sitting on a leather sofa surrounded with dark heavy wooden furniture. Ohh. I love this so much that I even spray it on myself sometimes. Im thinking if I should get a full bottle.

Its just so damn good. warm and fuzzy and might be a little too masculine for me to wear on the regular, but we'll see any which way- i enjoy it immensely makes me dream of the hug of grandfather in a cozy sweater with Tobacco pipe scent lingering in the wool and its a forest outside, but the smell of trees is somehow inside- there are ashes in the fireplace from the blazing fire the night before with the work boots set out to dry and there are stories, so many stories to be told

I just received a sample of K10 from Luckscent and am really diggin the heck out of it. Since it's now January and freezing, I believe I might have to spring for a full-bottle, as it's perfect to warm up to during the ultra-frigid Boston weather. Quite the gorgeous oily skanky-sweet leather scent in a class all its own. Strappingly bad-ass and uber-masculine. Make no mistake baby, this is a MAN's frag from the word GO. Oh yeah, this is a good one...I dig it a lot! :-))

I just received this this morning and was immediately struck how similar to Bal a Versailles this is ( I had and sold the new formulation which I bought unwittingly pretty quickly). I'm trying to love it like everyone seems to but I can't get the old lady lipstick makeup bag association out of my olfactory brain. In what world is this a guys scent?? Only the dry down is gentle otherwise it's a fierce handbags at dawn scent.

The absolute best leather blend I have ever smelled. It must be a highly guarded secret recipe because no other house has copied it! It is a good thing they have been selling it for many years. It was hard to find, but, I am glad when I did. I mix a little with a floral to take the edge of the masculinity. A few drops of the sample I got took 5 years off my car leaving it better than the new car smell!

Austria's only internationally renowed scent, now on the market for almost 100 years. Yet it appears very modern, very special, very elegant. Labels such as Comme des Garcons are trying hard to create something special, and more often than not they fail. This company, in contrast, sticks to that very fragrance that it knows how to do well. May it last forever and never be reformulated. *****

DSun: Do you like the dry down? That matters more than how you get there. I get the comparison to 70s vintage English Leather, which I wish I could get more of. I'm a huge fan of leather scents. English Leather, Aramis, Bandit, Cabochard,cuir de russie, and Knize Ten are all delivery mechanisms for my drug of choice: leather. At the moment I'm enjoying Knize Ten. Regards.

Just picked up a 15ml of this and thankfully it was exactly what I was looking for! It has exactly what I liked about Lutens Cuir Mauresque without the added sweetness I found a bit too much at times. I don't find it very animalistic unlike a lot of leather scents. I also don't find the opening harsh or overpowering as some are saying, but maybe it was in older versions.

Very potent, pungent, has an almost ammonia-like hint to it. I immediately pick up leather. The smell is reminiscent of walking into a classic cobbler/shoemaker shop. This is leather along with the preservatives, including wax, shoe cream, and water repellant. Surprisingly, it's not harsh. It's UBER masculine and retro, but it's not outdated. I really like this.

This scent is a soft, comforting animalic leather. It has a floral and a soapy powdery direction, even more softened with the cinnamon, which in my opinion makes it a very very unisex scent which is very comforting, smells nice to a lot of occasions and works very well for my skin (I am a woman). To be in my regular rotation for sure!

Bought a splash 225ml Bottle of this masterpiece in 2021, the greatest drydown I’ve ever seen, felt and sensed. Starts harsh with plenty of cinnamon and leathery notes, dries down extremely smoothly and from harsh goes to soothing. A masterpiece, I enjoy its drydown each second (most exciting three hours ever).

Inside of a very old leather interior filled car with a sweet hint of something. It's pretty good. Definitely nostalgia inducing but nothing I would wear regularly, I believe. Unique for sure. Smells like someone that's been working on a car while wearing a nondescript cologne. Blue collar elegance?