To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Ball.Alona. – :
I couldn’t believe how much this cost. I was shocked to say the least. I thought I could get a gallon for about $5.00…Scent memories with this one for sure. My Dad, uncle’s, cousin’s, friend’s, friend’s Dad’s~~ they all wore this or one of it’s stablemates back in the day…I remember my Dad’s med cab…Old spice, Brute, English Leather, Clubman, Hai Karate….and a styptic pencil…The smells….ahhhhh….
Arxangel21 – :
I just bought a .o5 ml sample vial of vintage Hai Karate as well as a reproduction scented oil of the fragrance. I really have the entire shape of the thing at this point and I feel like I understand what it was supposed to be and how it smelled.
I also compared them with current Jade East and Canoe aftershaves. While my reproduction oil used Jade East as an inspiration for its base and put some menthol and citrus up top (as Hai Karate has often been described), I feel the original was a bit more complicated.
I also figured out exactly what (I think) people did not like about this fragrance.
Basically its Canoe. Seriously, Hai Karate’s base is a recreation of what current canoe smells like. Up top you have some citrus and perhaps menthol. But the thing that got people the most was it’s high notes.
The top notes are the same ingredients that we find in absinthe: anise and the unmistakable smell of WORMWOOD!
What possessed these early perfumers to use wormwood in Hai Karate is beyond me. Perhaps it used to be in Canoe. Maybe it was cheap. Maybe it seemed French. Perhaps they wanted something that would get everyone’s attention. But wormwood is a sharp, pungent, and medicinal smell. It fades quickly, but is something in the neighborhood of witch hazel or grassy grapefruit with a poisonous edge. Whatever the case, Hai Karate is the only fragrance I’ve ever smelled that had it.
There’s also something extremely animalic in there, either some kind of deer musk or a somewhat rotten synthetic. Either way it’s a clumsy kind of musk that, like the wormwood, pushes the boundaries of taste.
People have long debated the merits of Hai Karate and time has put it to shame. But really, it’s a big pop of wormwood, anise and citrus, then it dries down to a less complex version of Canoe. I actually find it quite pleasant and really not very remarkable. The innovation is in the wormwood and the marketing.
How Brut, Clubman, Canoe, Jade East and Skin Bracer are still around but Hai Karate is not is simply baffling to me. There are tons of Hai Karate T-shirts for sale. 50 year old bottles go for $50-$100. It sells out all the time, is available in the UK and yet, no one sells it in the US. Seems like someone isn’t paying attention to the way the wind is blowing. Just saying!
Alebastr – :
I read Elvis wore this….I’ve never smelled it and feel no need to. As a child, I remember a neighborhood friend’s father wore this and he’d give his son a splash of this and he’d go kicking his feet up and karate chop the air around himself. We all stood back so’s not to get sprayed by his sound effects.
He didn’t really impress us girls!
asomadinovigor – :
My Dad used to wear this back in the 70’s and 80’s. I remember as a kid going into the bathroom and having a contest to decide which of his aftershaves I liked best. This one was always my first pick, followed closely by Aqua Velva Ice Blue, then Brute. Too bad we can’t buy it anymore (aside from outrageous eBay prices). It would be nice to try it again to reminisce.
Докийчук – :
I think Thai Winds by Avon was their version of this type of scent.
mike607 – :
This stuff GIVES you the moves. No instructions necessary- simply apply liberally and you feel like you can do just about anything
alankuliy1 – :
OK GUYS ,…Did anyone actually need to use those enclosed karate moves to fight off the GIRLS?
stepi09 – :
Hai Karate Cologne & Aftershave
Purchased On eBay
Blast from the past! In the 70s, this was my uncle Pete’s cologne. Every time he paid us a visit at my West Palm Beach family home, this scent permeated the air because he put on too much of it. I don’t know whether or not it’s been reformulated. I love the scent and out of nostalgia I bought a bottle of the cologne and the aftershave from eBay. Smells exactly as I recall. In today’s context, this is terribly old school. If it had to be compared to similar scents, this is of the drugstore cheapie brood of cologne like Dana Canoe, Stetson Coty Brut and most like Old Spice. If you like Old Spice, chances are you’ll like it.
Opens with a chemical strong note that I can’t describe. I suppose it’s an alcohol or aldehyde. Very strong. Then the citrus notes show up just as quickly. Smells of sour lemon, sharp medicinal citrusy scents. The citrus is followed by some green notes like neroli leaves around oranges. These scents are potent and take a while to settle down. When this softens it smells like oily green tea. Almost exactly like an herbal aroma of green tea. This I suppose would match up with the imagery that perhaps it tries to evoke: a Japanese dojo or teahouse. Smells of being relaxed after a work out or training session of karate or judo. I have trained in various dojos in my life including even in Tokyo Japan so I’m familiar with the realistic Asian theme of this cologne. I find it soothing as it does soften into a powder eventually.
I don’t get any floral notes out of this, not even lavender. Possibly orange blossom or neroli but it’s not that big a note. It’s also redolent with some Oriental notes, amber, musk, sandalwood, bamboo. There might be no bamboo at all but the woodsy notes in the dry down/base are evocative of bamboo. There’s definitely musk. This part reminds me of leathery belts and masculine scents of leather shoes. The dry down is good and this cologne is long lasting and good for an every day use, anywhere, any season. Nothing unisex about it or feminine. It’s masculine but it has a citrus into powder development that maybe some more daring gender-bending females might enjoy especially if they like fragrances like Dana Love Baby Soft or Shalimar Eau de Toilette.
A very nice nostalgic piece of perfumery that has been overlooked and forgotten by the mainstream but continues to have a cult following of drugstore cheapie fans. Some of us have fond memories of encountering this fragrance. It is certainly much better than Brut though I remember smelling that one a lot in the 70s-80s. Hai Karate delivers and is the perfect introduction to citrus-Orientals for young men. A good vintage cologne that is finally being cataloged on Fragrantica.
Thank You!
Stephen Bozer
droplaptelpad – :
A friend brought his dad’s vintage bottle to work today so I could try it (after watching those awesome TV ads, I was curious…). First of all, the date stamp is 1966, a year before it supposedly launched. Second… this is some wicked stuff. Notice there are no notes listed above? That’s because Hai Karate is not made from notes. It’s pure sweat, wrung from the post-workout gym wear of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. I believe it was outlawed by the Geneva Convention. Holy Hai Karate. This stuff will put hair on your chest and then burn it right off. At least 90 proof.
After the initial crane-kick to the face, the drydown is very powdery and lingers long… I literally splashed one drop on my wrist and it’s going strong five hours later. Amazing. We decided that before our next 3 hour faculty meeting, we are going to douse ourselves with it and enjoy the fallout. Thumbs up.
996929 – :
I don’t think they make this anymore but if you’re looking for a good replica of it check out Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Lo Haiku.
amaksyakoff – :
My dad wore this in the early 70s with his Nehru leisure suit. I think that says enough.
LibLidoTity – :
My brother used this when he was a teenager, and I remember it being, as the other reviewers said, strong and powdery. I think there was quite a bit of citrus as well. It was rather nice-smelling, actually, and I wish they would bring it back in the original formula.
peter0001 – :
i remember this. it was one of my dad’s favorites in the 70’s. strong, yet powdery. this is a good memory.
GeoV – :
I used to have this in the 1970’s……It’s strong and powdery. I think you can strip paint with it as well???
Nikitosik77 – :
Be careful how you use it.