Victorinox Swiss Army 2020 EDT

M £ Favourite

Black Steel

by Daphné Bugey

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Victorinox Swiss Army Black Steel is an Eau de Toilette launched in 2020, created by Daphné Bugey. Black Steel opens with Pepper and Ginger, settles into a heart of Leather and Larch, and dries down to a base of Pine and Almond. Victorinox Swiss Army's Black Steel carries a Favourite verdict, a woody-led wear.

This cheapie is an underrated gem, offering a great spicy-woody experience at an incredible price point. Don't expect beast mode performance, but it's a classy, versatile scent that punches well above its weight.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Confident
  • Sophisticated
  • Clean
  • Masculine
  • Modern
£17.49 at Amazon UK 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Black Steel Eau de Toilette bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Ginger52%
Pepper48%
Heartas listed
Leather57%
Larch43%
Baseas listed
Pine57%
Almond43%

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Date Casual
Also Works:
Formal

Its moderate projection and intimate sillage make it suitable for office wear, as it's unlikely to offend. The warm, woody accords lend themselves well to casual and date settings, though its generally quiet nature means it won't dominate a formal event.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

Declarable under EU Annex III

  • Bitter almond Benzaldehyde from Almond

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Opens with a lively pop of fresh ginger and black pepper, adding a vibrant zing before settling into a distinguished heart of smooth leather and the unique, woody depth of larch. The dry down introduces a subtle nutty sweetness from almond, beautifully blended with earthy pine, creating an outdoorsy, refined masculine scent that's warm without being heavy. It’s got a clean, aromatic backbone that prevents it from feeling too dense.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Black Steel Eau de Toilette - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Black Steel Eau de Toilette - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 29 September

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.