Here's a quick review of what's become my most-used purchase from this year's D.C. Pen Show. Akkerman #28, "Hofkwartier Groen," is a bright grass-green ink and a color that I thought I would hate - until I actually used it. I'll recommend this ink as a just-plain-fun writing experience, as well as one of the best annotation inks I've used.
Akkerman 28 is an extremely bright ink, but it's not pale at all. It will stand out on most papers. You can see here that it stands up to the bright red dots of the Hobonichi Techo paper. (This writing sample is from the blank sheets at the back of the journal.)
I find most light green inks too pale and/or dry. Also in D.C., I picked up a small 15ml bottle of Iroshizuku Chiku-Rin. While I plan on giving that ink another try in a broader nib, I could barely see the ink coming out of my Sailor Pro Gear with a fine nib. I had no such problems with the Akkerman.
A broader shot of the Akkerman #28 writing sample on Tomoe River Paper.
On the wetness/dryness scale, Akkerman #28 is perfectly balanced. I've not had it hard-start in a pen (even in extra-fine or needlepoint nibs), it dries quickly on the page, and it doesn't smear. Currently, this ink sits in my Franklin-Christoph Model 45 orange demonstrator (Masuyama Needlepoint) and my Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black. I've not experienced any negatives with this ink, but if you use "busier paper" (such as Doane Paper's Grid + Lines design), you may have legibility issues in a very fine nib. On plain, lined, or graph paper, I've had no problems. Akkerman #28 looks especially gorgeous on Tomoe River.
Akkerman #28 looks awesome eyedroppered into my clear orange Franklin-Christoph Model 45 demonstrator.
I suspect that if I tried to use this ink in a broader nib for longhand writing, drafting, etc., I wouldn't like it as much because it might be too loud and scream off the page at the reader. So what have I used it for? Marking up legal documents, quick notes to myself that I want to stand out on the page, reminder lists in my pocket notebooks, etc. It makes for a nice break from the bright red and orange inks that I otherwise use for annotating and editing.
Where to Buy
Akkerman #28 is available from Vanness Pens. For $28, you get 60ml of ink, and a unique reusable glass bottle. As you can see from the photo above, the neck of the bottle contains a reservoir that you fill by tipping the bottle forward, making it easier to fill your pen and allowing you to get all the ink from the dregs of a near-empty bottle. (The neck of the bottle seals with glass marble!) Vanness carries the entire line of Akkerman Ink, which includes 30 colors named after various locations in the Netherlands, where the P.W. Akkerman pen shop is located.
Further Reading
Despite this being a somewhat popular ink, I haven't seen many reviews of Akkerman #28 out there. You should check out Ray's review over at FPQuest. He used a wider nib than I've used here - I may actually have to give that a shot.
I've reviewed a couple other Akkerman inks in the past. Check out my double review of Akkerman Chinatown Red (#21) and Voorhout Violet (#15).
My ink sample sheet from the DC Pen Show. I was trying a lot of lighter green inks, but none of these popped like the Akkerman #28.
Disclaimer: I purchased the ink featured in this review with my own funds, for my own collection.