I just received a 237-1 pen from Norman at hisnibs.com. Shipping was FAST, I placed the order Friday and it was in my P. O. Box this morning, about 1800mi/3000km seperate us. The Post Office obviously forgot about something.



I regret the poor image. There is a small "tick" above the 4/5 area and before and below the 2 in 237. I got those by setting my dial calipers for 1/2" (12.7mm) and drawing between the 'tines'. By placing this in my CAD program I can measure actual letter height. the individual letters and numbers range from 0.040 - 0.060", about 1-1.5mm.

Ink; Slovenian Script Black, Paper; 32# Hewlet-Packard copy paper.

I'll have to admit it is smooth for the size nib and I also haven't had a lot of time to play. It is an inexpensive pen with a plastic "fit and finish". The flat clip comes out the very top and secures the pen well to the pocket it has an aeromatic type filler.

So far, I like it.

Ron

edit is result of poor typing skills and failure to properly proof read

Here is picture of the pens.
The writing was done with the green Hero and underline from a Pelikan Medium nib.

Weight of an empty pen is 12.0 grams and full of ink the green one was 13.2 grams. Cap weight is 5.2 grams. Length posted is 5.64"/143.25mm; closed 5.56"/141.25mm; open 4.80"/122mm. This is a small, light pen with a 0.464"/11.8mm barrel and a hooded nib. The clip is flat and the cap has a 'lump' instead of the clip doubling back, an intelleigent design, IMO.

It writes with a definate feel to the nib as one would expect of such a narrow nib. The line is fairly wet but being so narrow dries quickly. I think it wil be ideal for the times I really need a narrow nib and for notes on blueprints and such.

Appearance - they look like what they are: inexpensive and plastic.

The nib - xxfine or so allowing a very fine line with defination.

Writing - with such a fine nib the ink supply should last a long while. It lays a light wet line and can write finer than most folks I know.

Overall, it is what it is and a fine value for the money if one needs a light, inexpensive pen for occational posting and fine writing.

Ron

Thanks for the review! How airtight is the cap's seal?

GW,

The cap snaps on 'with authority'. I'll be sure and report back if the nib dries, it starts hard or anything else that I find annoying or....... I'l be carrying this pen for a while. It wil take the spot of my Otho as one of my working pens.

Ron

Just received a Hero 231-1 today in the mail. being my first Hero pen, I wasnt sure what to expect. I was suprised at how fine the nib was, exactly what I was after. With the nib being XXF i thought the nib would be quite scratchy, but it writes very smoothly. Very happy with my purchase!

I've been using one for a while for sketching every now and then - they're very nice. The cap seems to seal it well, or at least it still writes after sitting for a week or so.

Mine wrote a bit on the scratchy side, but I smoothed the nib with a bit of micromesh and it writes perfectly now. Even works for handwriting despite the tiny line width.

How does this nib compare to Estie's 9550?

I don't have either inked at the moment, but as I recall the Hero was a bit finer line than the 9550, and a bit smoother to write with.