Kobe #47 Aoya Cascade Green is a perfectly holiday themed green. It reminds me of blue spruce and pine needles.
The Kobe inks are Sailor, of course, so they are good stable inks that shade beautifully and #47 has a lovely reddish sheen.
I love the shading variation in a wider nib and the dark, woodsy quality it can achieve in finer lines.
When compared with other greens of similar values (and some way outside the range), Pilot Shin-Ryoku is probably the closest in value, price and performance as well though it is a little less expensive. DeAtramentis Sandalwood is a little darker and does not sheen. It’s also available in a scented version and is a little wetter, more watery ink. The J. Herbin Vert Reseda is fairly close in color but is definitely a wetter ink and can be notoriously finicky on paper. Both Diablo Menthe and Paradise Blue are much bluer but act as a nice reference point.
So, if you are looking for a good wintery green, look no further. Kobe inks are a great way to expand your Japanese ink collection without reaching all the way up to Bungbox prices.
TOOLS
- Paper: Rhodia Uni-Blank No. 16 with 6mm guide sheet
- Pens: Empire vintage traveling dip nib holder with Zebra G titanium nib ($33.50 per 10-pack), Esterbrook #2442 nib in a Shawn Newton custom nib holder
- Swatches: Col-o-Ring Ink Testing Cards
- Brush: Blick Studio #0 Round
- Ink: Kobe #47 Aoya Cascade Green (50ml bottle for $30)
DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Vanness Pens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
