Hero 100 14K Any Good?

[matteob]

Hello folks I would like feedback on this pen prior to making an order. I will use Jewelrymathematics if I buy one as he has a reputation for trustworthyness but I have heard varying reports of the quality of the writing experience with these. As it is a higher priced model I would appreciate user feedbsck before I buy.

[sciumbasci]

Seems good to me. People often complaint the cap does not seal well enough though, something to do with the hinge on the clip.

 

I read on frankunderwater's blog Hero is coming out with a refreshed model of the 100, with golden clip.

[hari317]

I have one. From YC Guo. Flighter version. I requested him to send me a smooth wet writer and that is what I received. The pen looks nice, fills well and holds 1.2ml ink. However the cap fits somewhat tightly on the section. In comparison to the American original of which I have some examples, the 100 stands no chance. But the 100 is much better made than a 616 for example.

Edited January 28, 2018 by hari317

[truthpil]

I can confirm the issues with the cap. The cap on mine fits too tightly yet ironically doesn't seal well so the pen always hard starts after being capped.

If you decide to get one, I would wait a few months until the cartridge/converter version comes out. I could never get a full fill with the aerometric converter these come with.

[sciumbasci]

Can't the cap be sealed in any way?

This thing held me off buying a 100 for a long time... I don't know, like pouring a thing film of wax in the cap wouldn't in theory just fill any gap there might be, thus sealing it?

[hari317]

I could never get a full fill with the aerometric converter these come with.

how much ink does your example fill?

[truthpil]

Two-thirds at best after a lot of slow squeezing.

[hari317]

Ok. You can always measure the ink capacity by comparing empty and filled weights, it gives a good idea. 1 to 1.2 ml is good for this pen. A 51 typically holds 1.5ml. A Duofold maxima around the same. A 616 holds 1.5ml, a wing sung 590 approx 1.6 to 1.8ml.

 

To fill:

Press the bar quickly and release. Pause fir a few seconds. Repeat. Repeat this till no more air bubbles are ejected into the ink bottle.

 

To empty:

Press the bar slowly to eject the ink drop by drop. Repeat this several times till no more drops are ejected.

 

Hth.

[truthpil]

Ok. You can always measure the ink capacity by comparing empty and filled weights, it gives a good idea. 1 to 1.2 ml is good for this pen. A 51 typically holds 1.5ml. A Duofold maxima around the same. A 616 holds 1.5ml, a wing sung 590 approx 1.6 to 1.8ml.

 

To fill:

Press the bar quickly and release. Pause fir a few seconds. Repeat. Repeat this till no more air bubbles are ejected into the ink bottle.

 

To empty:

Press the bar slowly to eject the ink drop by drop. Repeat this several times till no more drops are ejected.

 

Hth.

 

Just a follow up on this. Pressing the bar quickly for taking in ink does work better than doing it slowly.

After coming across another Hero 100 that works much better than my first, I take back any negative comments about the pen.

While it does take at least twice as many squeezes as a Parker 51 Aerometric, a good example of the 100 can almost completely fill.

If you like hooded, fine nibs and can get a decent one for under $30, you are in for a treat! From my experience, I wouldn't buy one of these without trying it out in person first, because the questionable-ness of Chinese quality control can also be a factor with these pens. The first one I got was frustratingly dry and the ink always dried out if left unused for a few hours. The second one lacked those problems and is a joy to write with.