About Bandholz

Bandholz is a Germanic last name that literally translates to "bind wood." While traditionally it was likely to indicate a person who worked in forestry, it has inspired a different meaning.

For us, Bandholz is about combining wood notes to create a fragrance novel to this world.

I'm going to get preachy about fragrance and I want you to stay with me. Because it's important.

I believe fragrance is deeply personal. There isn't a "best" fragrance, only a best for you in a moment, place or time.

It evolves, it changes, it works differently on different people. 

Modern culture has us seeking for the fragrance with the highest reviews, or the hot fragrance every influencer is pushing.

In the marketplace, I see jazzed up fragrances with expensive packaging and exclusive pricing. They sell sex, or compliments, or solving all your problems.

I also see a lot of dupes and trend chasing. 

That's not how we do things.

I've always admired and been drawn towards novelty.

New experiences, new connections, new endeavors, new styles and new fragrances.

At Bandholz, you won't find dupes; you won't find mass market fragrances. Instead you'll find fragrances crafted from memories, from adventure, and from the past and future. 

I believe crafting fragrance is an artistic endeavor. 

You can take the technical route and study which notes pair well together, build accords, and formulate based on best practices. Or you can unleash your constraints and let yourself fall into the fragrance – to have the freedom to explore combinations that aren't best practices. Allowing yourself the freedom to break the rules.

I am actively seeking inspiration, and not limiting myself to any rules. This gives us the freedom to craft a wider range of fragrances. Some fragrances might strive to be balances, soft, and pleasing; while others might be big and divisive. I think of our entire family of fragrances as a collective.

You might notice that we take a fair amount of inspiration from the writings of Emerson and Thoreau. I believe there to be a lot of overlap with what we are doing and their thoughts.

A belief in crafting your own way, connecting with nature, rebelling, and being an individual. 

I want to bring that nature to you through the fragrances we craft.

Bandholz customers Defy Common Scents; they have adventure, explore new experiences, and leave this world with stories to tell. 

Our fragrances will join you on those journeys and to help lock in those memories. You will use your sense of smell to teleport to pleasant times in the past.

We have been crafting amazing fragrances since 2013 under our brand, Beardbrand. The Bandholz brand was created as a way to explore new fragrance combinations and products.

At the end of the day, we know scent is personal. You are going to love some of our fragrances and hate others. At Bandholz, we want to bear that burden. If you're not happy with any of our fragrances we'll get an exchange for another or refund your money.

I can't wait for you to experience the great fragrances we have crafted.

Eric Bandholz
Founder