[jmkeuning]

I got this pen from hisnibs. He has all colors in stock right now.

1. First Impressions

This is a fine looking pen. For $10.00 I definitely felt that the first impression exceeded expectations.

2. Appearance & Finish

Everything is tightly on this pen. The cap compresses on, the section unscrews, there is a little window at the end of the section so that you can see the ink. This window is pretty much useless because it is so small. If there is any ink in the pen you cannot tell if it is one drop or one ounce.

3. Design/ Size/Weight

Typical all-plastic pen. Lightweight. But not TOO light. The plastic is substantial; not as thin as Hero could have gotten away with so it might be heavier than you expect. The size is pretty much the same as my 51. The Hero is longer capped by shorter uncapped. The diameter is about the same but the section on the Hero is smaller diameter.

4. Nib Design & Performance

When you order this pen, this is probably what you are buying. You want the XXF. Man, this thing delivers! I sometimes have this pen sitting next to my Sailor Sapporo XF and I reach for the Hero. It writes GREAT. What I really like is that there is a tiny bit of variance between horizontal and vertical strokes. So it writes like a tiny italic or something. The ink flows nicely and it starts EVERY time and NEVER skips!

5. The Filling System

Aerometric squeeze filler. I prefer a converter but this filler works.

6. Cost/Value

HA! $10?

7. Overall Opinion/Conclusion

This is an embarrassingly great pen. It makes it very hard to reach for a $100 pen when this thing writes so well. My only complaint is that the cap can pop off while in the pocket.

[blak000]

nice review. Looking at the pens from the link, I can't say I'm a big fan of the colors, but your review makes it sound like a real winner. The fact that you'll reach for this over a Sapporo says a lot. Interesting about that ink window. I wonder why they made it so small. Sounds like something you could take to school, and not cry over if you happen to lose it. I definitely need more of those...

Sorry if you mentioned it already, but does it have a hooded nib?

[Lloyd]

How durable/useful is the clip?

[jmkeuning]

Yes - hooded nib; very nice.

The clip's usefullness? It will hold on to your shirt, but it also flexes side to side. I do not know how to explain this, but it is strong metal but thin enough that it can twist - so the combination of pressure with twistiness can move it off center if you push on it.

I can take out the camera a take some pics. My cam is not so great, and I am waiting for my macro lens for my SLR, but i will post some digi pics in the mean time.

[blak000]

oh, any pictures would be much appreciated. a full on picture of the clip and the hooded nib would be awesome!

[pakmanpony]

Nice review! May have to look into one of these when he gets them back in stock.

[jmkeuning]

Here are some pics:

[His Nibs]

Nice review! May have to look into one of these when he gets them back in stock.

They are *in* stock

Accountant pens

[blak000]

Hmmm.. jm, the pictures you took make the pen look much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye! I likes the hooded nib!

$10 eh? I think I'm going to order one as soon as I get the time.

Oh, hopefully hisnibs or jmkeuning can answer this: how does the nib size compare to other pens? Does it stick to the Japanese or European standard?

Also, what does it say on the side of the pen?

[jmkeuning]

This XXF is definitely Japanese.

Here is a scan with a comparison to my Sailor Sapporo XF. The 237-1 is finer for sure.

(This was written a while ago, in my Moleskine, I should have written carefully and on one side of the paper, oh well!)

This post has been edited by jmkeuning: 10 September 2007 - 04:04 AM

[His Nibs]

Hmmm.. jm, the pictures you took make the pen look much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye! I likes the hooded nib!

$10 eh? I think I'm going to order one as soon as I get the time.

Oh, hopefully hisnibs or jmkeuning can answer this: how does the nib size compare to other pens? Does it stick to the Japanese or European standard?

Also, what does it say on the side of the pen?

From my website:

"the Chinese characters for 'accountant pen' are imprinted on the barrel....and most important, this pen has an XXF, perhaps even an XXXF nib! I seriously doubt you'll be able to find a finer line than that produced by this pen."

[blak000]

hey JM, if your sapporo is skipping, I'd suggest you send it back for repairs. I bought a Namiki Falcon from Richard Binder that skipped (not his fault, it only started skipping after I wrote for several pages... and I don't think he really has the time to test that extensively). I asked him if I should just keep using it, and if it's something that'll go away in time. Without hesitation, he said send it back. I received it in the mail only a few days ago, but it's been working flawlessly ever since.

Mine was skipping on the downstroke, like yours was... otherwise it was fine. If Richard thought my problem was worth taking a look at, then I would assume that yours is, too.

[jmkeuning]

hey JM, if your sapporo is skipping, I'd suggest you send it back for repairs. I bought a Namiki Falcon from Richard Binder that skipped (not his fault, it only started skipping after I wrote for several pages... and I don't think he really has the time to test that extensively). I asked him if I should just keep using it, and if it's something that'll go away in time. Without hesitation, he said send it back. I received it in the mail only a few days ago, but it's been working flawlessly ever since.

Mine was skipping on the downstroke, like yours was... otherwise it was fine. If Richard thought my problem was worth taking a look at, then I would assume that yours is, too.

Thanks, I'll contact the seller. It has been a few months so I will not hold my breath. I have not tried the ultrasonic yet.

-And I am surprised you read that scratch!

[blak000]

LOL. Perfectly readable to me. I wouldn't bother going to the seller, he/she'd just tell you to contact Sailor. I'm not familiar with Sailor's return policy, but if it's like most FPN companies... a few months should be nothing to worry about.

[demeter]

This is an embarrassingly great pen. It makes it very hard to reach for a $100 pen when this thing writes so well. My only complaint is that the cap can pop off while in the pocket.

It is a good pen, but the cap and clip are not at all. I use them at work, and they stay on my desk, never in my pocket, because the cap does pop off. One clip fell off, but they are excellent stay where they are pens. I use them for accounting and they are unbeatable.

Andrew