How Close Do the Knock Offs Get to the Originals?

I noticed that a lot of the artisans are offering replications of pricey scents at bargain rates. Fine Accoutrements, for example, has endeavored to reproduce famous fragrances in each of its aftershaves (SnakeBite excluded). Fine's L'Orange Noir is, to my nose, a dead ringer for Terre D'Hermes, which it's a knockoff of. Fine's Clean Vetiver, which is supposed to be a knockoff of Guerlain's Vetiver, is a big miss for me. Fine's Platinum is an Aventus clone but, having just smelled Creed Aventus, I find the Fine version close (now that the Aventus has dried down and had time to set) but I'm unsure how close--have to smell them side by side.

So I'm asking. What is your experience with knockoffs approximating the originals? From an ethical standpoint, I have no issue buying Joe's Acqua di Parrrrrmaaaa if it smells just like the original and costs a fraction of the price. So many of the pricey fragrances are marked up so astronomically that it's disgraceful. But I'd rather save and get the original if Joe's version is an olfactory shadow.

I am going against the flow on this one because I dont do knockoffs and dont do artisans. I prefer to stick to the classics.

I am going against the flow on this one because I dont do knockoffs and dont do artisans. I prefer to stick to the classics.

I'm with you on the knockoffs but I do think you're missing out by not trying the artisans' shaving soaps. Many of them are making superb products.

I hear lot of good stuf about artisans soaps. Maybe at some point in the future l will try them but for now l am happy with soaps that have some history behind them.

Maybe at some point in the future l will try artisans but for now l am happy with soaps that have some history behind them.

The great thing is the selection, whether you like artisans or established brands. I was at Pasteur today, reveling in all the choices including DR Harris, Trumper, Truefitt, Caswell, Tabac, MWF, and so on. 

I've been shaving with a DE for about twenty years. Until recently I used only the classics. Now I'm enthused by the artisans though I still keep some classics on hand. The only issues I've had with artisan soaps is the feeling of tingling and burning from two soaps from Catie's Bubbles, which I've listed for sale since they're very popular, so I'm one of a very few who has a problem with them. 

But this is shaving, and it's one area where you can and must do it your way, using what you love, artisan, classic, etc. The pleasure of the shave and the result are what counts. I say "Be a Classicist" if that's what you like!

If it's produced and or replicated and joe blow off the street can't tell the difference and one is 100.00 and the other is 15.00 and you still pay 100.00, I'd say narricism and ego may be the problem not artesians imitating scents.

If it's produced and or replicated and joe blow off the street can't tell the difference and one is 100.00 and the other is 15.00 and you still pay 100.00, I'd say narricism and ego may be the problem not artesians imitating scents.

Good point, but that depends on whether you're wearing it for you or for Joe Blow. I tend to wear fragrances that I make me feel a certain way, the way a certain tie or pair of shoes can make you feel a certain way. I try to avoid using amounts that would be noticeable to others unless we're embracing. So, for me, if I love a certain fragrance and the knockoff isn't right, it's a waste of $15 or $20.

Is there a knock off or aftershave based on Invasion Barbare? That's a pricy fragrance I've been curious to try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have no problem buying the cheaper alternative if it smells close enough to me.

I prefer the term "inspired by ..."

I think the big perfume houses are phenomenally over-priced. Largely, you're paying for the name, same as jeans, and absolutely no guarantee of quality over any other product in the same market. Similar scent from a cheaper source will do perfectly.