First Impression: D.H. Harris Sandalwood

[Jabo]

I'm typically a 'Speick guy', with a bottle of Aqua Velva sitting in the cabinet as well due to easy availability and the price. I finally got around to acquiring a bottle of D.H. Harris Sandalwood and tried it out for the first time today. I really like the scent of this AS, and it stays with you for some time after application. I'm not convinced that it is definitely worth twice as much as my beloved Speick, but I guarantee that it has obtained a permanent spot in my AS rotation. I highly recommend it to any wet shaver that hasn't given it a try.

 

[The Nid Hog]

It's a strange sandalwood. There's something else in there that smells a bit like creosote to me. Kind of like a telephone pole made out of sandalwood on a hot day. But I like it too.

 

[takeshi]

It's not (just) sandalwood but I like it. Can't say I've noticed anything like creosote though...

 

[joto]

I agree, not a perfect sandalwood scent, although it is quite nice. I find the performance superlative even with a relatively small amount of product. The price does kinda suck... but I'll pay it... grumblegrumble

 

[Bluebeard]

It's not (just) sandalwood but I like it. Can't say I've noticed anything like creosote though...

+1 Plain sandalwood (to me) become a bit boring after a while. I'm going to try this AS soon, I'll post my opinions.

 

[petr]

OK. I did not like this stuff too much at first. It's different than what I am used to.

Medicinal sandalwood big time. And it's strong. Wow. I slapped waay too much on.

But, I got 4 compliments from 4 good looking women as soon as I walked through my office. Youza. Maybe there is something to this after all.

 

[Kevan]

I use and like it. But if only they'd tone down the anise it'd be a favorite of mine.

 

[Phog Allen]

This one is on my buy list this year. Kevan I know what you mean about the anise. If used too heavily it just reeks of licorice and that is not one of my favourites. In fact, I do not care for it at all. However, anise is gentler for lack of a better description. I know, I know. Trying a sample is always good advise but not with this one. I am buying it blind. I know I can move it on B/S/T if I do not like it.

Regards, Todd

 

[Kevan]

OK. I did not like this stuff too much at first. It's different than what I am used to.

Medicinal sandalwood big time. And it's strong. Wow. I slapped waay too much on.

But, I got 4 compliments from 4 good looking women as soon as I walked through my office. Youza. Maybe there is something to this after all.

I know what you mean. If TOBS is the epitome of old-style sandalwood, this is not too far behind it. Very medicinal, slightly sweet, heavy on the anise and powder. A very old-fashioned, "gentleman's" take on sandal. Fits an older gentleman in the colder months but it's got class, and women do like it.

It's more cologne strength too.

 

[Cambyses]

This one is on my buy list this year. Kevan I know what you mean about the anise. If used too heavily it just reeks of licorice and that is not one of my favourites. In fact, I do not care for it at all. However, anise is gentler for lack of a better description. I know, I know. Trying a sample is always good advise but not with this one. I am buying it blind. I know I can move it on B/S/T if I do not like it.

Regards, Todd

Just so you don't wonder too much before you buy: the topnotes are dominated completely by the anise. That being said, it doesn't smell like licorice at all to me. For the first few uses I was really unsure about how much I'd like it, but the more I use, the more I am really happy with the scent overall, including the heavy anise opening. And a few hours later, you still smell like warm, sweet sandalwood. I will buy again when I run out.

 

[Phog Allen]

I know what you mean. If TOBS is the epitome of old-style sandalwood, this is not too far behind it. Very medicinal, slightly sweet, heavy on the anise and powder. A very old-fashioned, "gentleman's" take on sandal. Fits an older gentleman in the colder months but it's got class, and women do like it.

It's more cologne strength too.

Kevan, again very good information. Your comments about TOBS are most appropriate. An old time sandalwood is a proper description. I was warned by a good many before buying it to watch it. Old man, powder and floral, big projection, you name it. I bought it without hesitation and absolutely LOVE it. Most modern sandalwood scents are just dry woody affairs that really have no depth unless they have been formulated with a GOOD sandalwood oil. Most are synthetics and at some level all smell alike. This is not the case with TOBS. What a treat to sniff something from another era that most assuredly does not smell like the chap down the hall with his shampoo...er I mean department store scent on. The fact that you mention it has a slightly medicinal scent is enough to convince me it will be alright.

Just so you don't wonder too much before you buy: the topnotes are dominated completely by the anise. That being said, it doesn't smell like licorice at all to me. For the first few uses I was really unsure about how much I'd like it, but the more I use, the more I am really happy with the scent overall, including the heavy anise opening. And a few hours later, you still smell like warm, sweet sandalwood. I will buy again when I run out.

Thank you Cambyses. Your comments meld nicely with Kevan's. This is just like TOBS sandalwood effect for me. I liked the bottle smell immediately but was unsure how it would work on my skin. It took a few applications but now I wouldn't be without it. I like the TOBS in the fall and winter and this is why I thought of the Harris. I strongly suspect I will not be sorry about buying this one.

Regards, Todd

 

[Kevan]

Kevan, again very good information. Your comments about TOBS are most appropriate. An old time sandalwood is a proper description. I was warned by a good many before buying it to watch it. Old man, powder and floral, big projection, you name it. I bought it without hesitation and absolutely LOVE it. Most modern sandalwood scents are just dry woody affairs that really have no depth unless they have been formulated with a GOOD sandalwood oil. Most are synthetics and at some level all smell alike. This is not the case with TOBS. What a treat to sniff something from another era that most assuredly does not smell like the chap down the hall with his shampoo...er I mean department store scent on. The fact that you mention it has a slightly medicinal scent is enough to convince me it will be alright.

Yeah. I've always said that TOBS sandalwood strikes me as a rendition of the "original" British take on sandalwood, like when the East India Company ships first came back laden with barrels of sandalwood and the barbers and chemists got to play around with it, that's the kind of soapy, spicy, sweet scent they would've come up with. I don't care if it's above my age bracket...I love it.

Another thing about the Harris, too (I put some on since reading this thread) -- on me, the drydown emerges after anout 30 minutes and it is highly reminiscent of the Indonesian sandalwood chips I have. Not as deep and creamy as Mysore, but a sweet, woody, medicine-like scent. Persevere through the heavy anise and powder and this is the reward.

And one of the best bottles around, IMO, with all the "colors" of India.

 

[Phog Allen]

Thanks again Kav. This just about seals it for me. And yes, I love the old world apothecary look of D.R. Harris bottles and most of their packaging.

Regards, Todd

 

[petr]

Anise ... that's what I'm picking up so strongly?

The Harris is growing on me more and more. I am getting more than a few nicks with a straight lately also. It's good to use this AS as it was intended - to disinfect those cuts. I can't imagine how necessary this was when it was designed.

 

[djh]

I have a few Harris After Shaves and Sandalwood is my favourite. It will be used more and more now that the cooler weather is arriving. I recently added a tub of Green Pond Sandalwood Shave Cream to my rotation- it is made by Harris and has the same scent as the AS.

 

[scoopster]

Interesting, I don't get anise in D.R. Harris but something more like a pine sap kind of smell that I don't associate with anise.

This might be old time like TOBS but the two scents are also very different. I can't stand TOBS but I love the D.R. Harris. Go figure.

And like others I do love how bold this AS is. It's a decent performer but also lingers for a good part of the day like a cologne. I don't always want my AS to do that but when I do this one is at top of the list.

 

[Jabo]

I'll agree that it lingers like a cologne. I put some on recently after I shaved both my head & face. I ended up using too much and went to work smelling very strong. It's perfect for when I just shave my face, but I'll have to use it sparingly when applying to both head & face.

 

[Silky Glide]

I agree with Jabo - I am always a little self conscious when I wear DH Sandlwood - I like the scent and what it does on my face but I do not wear it often because I worry that when I am riding the subway into work and at the office that I might be overpowering everybody. I think it a mark of sophistication when a scent is understated and also that your scent should not arrive before you do and hang around after you leave (when I was a kid and I did not understand this I used to splash on that Aramis like water...phew!!). I like to wear Speick, Proraso, Atkinson's Lavender and Brava, a/s - the scent hangs around for a couple of hours but is very mild.

I also detect another something in the creosole family in DH Harris Sandlewood - I do not recognize anise but I can't put my finger on what it is. Anyway I have a full bottle that I hardly ever use but I am not ready to give it up yet.

 

[OBXBBS]

It's a strange sandalwood. There's something else in there that smells a bit like creosote to me. Kind of like a telephone pole made out of sandalwood on a hot day. But I like it too.

Very hilarious, but I know what you mean...

 

[Phog Allen]

About the projection. I suffered the same sort of anxiety when I started wearing Taylor's Sandalwood. Most of it is unfounded unless you really do get carried away with it. Do not get the wrong idea. If you pile on the Sandalwood you WILL overpower yourself and others. So certainly, do not over apply. What I have discovered about these more traditional British scents is that after a quite stout top note most of them settle down to something much more calm than something like Stetson. It never calms down on me and just keeps hitting me over the head with the sweet oriental top notes. Headache time. I am not just applying the 'British Rule' as I call it to Harris' version of the Sandalwood since I have not tried it. Yet if my experience with their other scents is any indication, they are not as heavily scented as TOBS and if I like the notes, I should get on with it just fine. Well, I hope so anyway.

Regards, Todd