Someone recently asked me if I had a recommendation for a really good green ink. That’s such a loaded question for me. Are you in search of a jewel-toned kelly green? A green-black? A green ever-so-slightly hinted with blue? Maybe something woodsy? There are just too many variations when it comes to green to pick just one and say “THIS is THE green”. Until now.
Caran D’ache Chromatics INKredible Colors Delicate Green is, for lack of a better description, officially my signature green. It is a bright, vivid green with just a hint of yellow to keep it citrus-y. I’m pretty sure Delicate Green matches my masthead and I wouldn’t describe it as delicate. Its punchy, cheery, “spring grass” green. I had to sniff it to make sure it didn’t smell like grass clippings (sadly, it doesn’t).
The only comparable shade I could find in my stash was Diamine Kelly Green ($12.95) or Pilot Iroshizuku Chiku-rin ($28). But the Kelly Green is obviously more kelly and the Chiku-rin leans more of a mustard seed yellow-green.
Often times, green inks in this yellow-green category are often a bit too light for everyday use and get relegated to “highlighter” inks or used just for play. But Delicate Green is bright and vivid enough to be legible and usable.
This is by no means a budget priced ink. But the inks come is a sturdy hexagonal box that hides the funky angle the bottle sits on when its removed. The bottle is a thick sturdy hexagonal glass with a solid silver metal cap. At $32 per bottle, the Caran D’ache Chromatics line is definitely a “special occasion” purchase but there are nice details in not just the ink but the packaging and presentation as well. Trust me, you’ll be glad you splurged.
To see more images of this ink in action, check out last weeks review for the Monteverde Intima.
DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Goulet Pens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
I love this ink! Got a sample from Goulet Pens to try it out, and wound up buying a bottle. It’s the Goldilocks of green inks for me–not too yellow, not too blue, just right 🙂
I used a green Pelikan ink for a few months. Green is my favourite colour and this was the only one I quickly found. Ok colour but it is lucky that I photocopied my lab notebook. The ink faded and I can’t really read it in the original anymore. A bit disappointing but I was the stupid scientist who used a lightish green fountain pen ink in my lab book. This one looks awesome though and I might just revisit my green ink phase.
Also, if you like the scent of fresh cut grass see http://www.serenascent.com.au. It is meant to bring the scent of freshly cut grass inside (or something like that). (Full disclosure, I am not part of “The Team” but I have taught physiology to undergraduates at some point with nearly all of them.)
I have been considering doing some fade tests on some inks. I’ll make sure that the Caran D’Ache Delicate GReen is in the test. Hopefully, it will be lab notebook-worthy.
how does it compare to the old Caran d’Ache Amazon green?
This is incredible. I’m always in awe of your writing. You make ink look good! Fantastic review!
Thanks so much! I really like to play with it!