I’m looking for a particular green ink. There’s a glen on campus where I go—sometimes with a friend, sometimes alone—to clear my head. I can walk into those woods with my mind racing and my muscles clenched, and walk out feeling calm and loose. It feels like a sacred place.
It is a sacred place.
In the spring and summer, the greens are spectacular. Right now, the trees are just beginning to show signs of life, so the color palette is predominantly dormant browns and grays, with occasional pops of hopeful green, like in this moss…
That’s the color of ink I’m looking for—that energetic, euphoric, almost fluorescent green. I don’t own a lot of green ink, but the ones I do have slant towards the darker offerings (Sailor Epinard, Platinum Citrus Black), or the muted sagey greens (Mont Blanc’s Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe). Blackstone’s Lemur Lime is in the ballpark, but I’d like something a little more legible with a medium nib.
I’ve done some poking around and jotted down a few candidates—Diamine Kelly Green, Diamine Meadow, Robert Oster Green Green, Robert Oster Ryde Green, Akkerman #28 Hofkwartier Groen—but it’s so hard to tell from online swatches.
With that color in a pen, I’ll feel like I’m in those woods even when I’m not, which is why I’m on a quest for that mood-lifting green. Any and all suggestions welcome.
Thank you, and happy spring!!
From the Pen Cup 
Hi Mary, you inspired me to try a sample someone sent me of PenBBS 277 Forgive Green.
I’m trying it out now. If it looks like a possibility I’ll send you some writing with it.
Thanks, Beth!
Hi Mary
Van Diemen Ink from Tasmania does a wonderful bright green called Apple Island. It reminds me of Granny Smith apples. And yes, your blog is read all the way down south. Keep up the good work
That looks fantastic! Thanks for reading, and for your kind words!
Well this brings back lovely memories!
Hi, Carrie!! Hope you are well! Planning to write to you ASAP!
I’m a big fan of Private Reserve inks, partly because they’re made about 30 minutes from where I live, so I can go to their store and buy it. I have two by them right now that might fit what you want. Private Reserve Spearmint and Private Reserve Foam Green.
Thanks so much for these suggestions! They look like great candidates. Is the Foam Green decently legible?
I think it’s pretty legible. Here’s a quick snap in not the best light. 🙂
Er, maybe just the link:
Thanks!!
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Hi Mary. I like the Akkerman #28 Hofkwartier Groen, it’s bright enough to be legible in my EF nibs on any paper, but it doesn’t really pop off the page unless a medium nib is used, so it seems to meet your needs. If you want a sample let me know and I can send you one,
Thanks, Ray! I ordered five green samples from Vanness this week and they just arrived today. The Akkerman #28 is one of them, and I think it’s the first one I’ll try. Appreciate the input!
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Maybe give the Lamy Peridot a try? It looks a bit turquoise-y in many online photos, but in my experience, it’s really more of a vibrant green. Possibly not quite fluorescent enough perhaps…
Nice color! A little darker, I think, than what I’m looking for right now, but definitely a candidate for a future green mood!