Hero 851

[Larry T]

I'm snowed in this morning, no work, so I thought I'd share a review of a nice, inexpensive pen. I have had a couple of the Hero 851's for about a month and a half. I've used them everyday, and the only time they quit writing, is when they are out of ink.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a52/ircameraman/Hero851web1.jpg

 

These pens are sold by Speerbob, for $12 shipped. The pen measures 127mm capped, 111 mm uncapped, and about 143 mm posted. The cap posts solidly, I use it posted most of the time. The 851 is about 9 mm wide at it's widest point along the barrel. It fills by squeezing a filler in the barrel, ala the Parker 51. No cartridges here, bottled ink only.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a52/ircameraman/Hero851web3.jpg

 

The Hero 851 has a tiny section, I typically hold it close to the barrel, it doesn't effect the pens writing ability, but big hands may have a problem getting a good grip.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a52/ircameraman/Hero851web4.jpg

 

The nib is steel, both of mine write very well. They started right up and wrote smoothly from the first stroke. I gave one to my ex-wife to test, she called me a couple of weeks later to complain, the pen wouldn't write at all. When I checked it out, it was empty, she writes a lot in her job, I'm impressed that the pen held enough ink to last two weeks. I refilled it, and she's been using it happily ever since.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a52/ircameraman/Hero851web2.jpg

 

This picture shows the relative size of the pen. From left to right, Montblanc 146, Parker 51, Parker Duofold international, Hero 851, Parker Duofold Centennial, Sheaffer Legacy.

 

Appearance & Design: 6 The pen is plain and simple, nothing wrong with that, it just doesn't reach out and grab you.

 

Construction Quality: 9 It's solid, well finished, and everything fits together tightly.

 

Weight & Dimensions: 7 This is kind of subjective, I like a bigger, heavier pen.

 

Nib & Performance: 8 I have better nibs, but this one works fine. It's smooth, and flows well, but it's very stiff. I think it would make a great first fountain pen for a newbie.

 

Filling System: 10 I love an aerometric filler.

 

Cost & Value: 10 Twelve bucks for a pen that performs as well as this one is a real deal.

 

Conclusion: 8.33

 

I have enjoyed using the Hero 851, it's a little bit of a change from my regular routine, I typically have a Parker 51 in my pocket. As I said before, this would be an excellent starter pen.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Larry

[tuintu]

Great review!

 

and i like your Parker Duofold Centennial

[Larry T]

Great review!

 

and i like your Parker Duofold Centennial

 

Thanks, I got the Duofold at the 2007 Michigan Pen Show. The seller was asking about a third of list price, or it wouldn't have gone home with me. It writes as good as it looks.

 

Larry

[WontonST]

Nice review!

 

I personally find the stiff steel Hero nibs such as the one on the 851 to be quite useful for work. No fear of the person borrowing your pen pressing down too hard. Plus, they're quite smooth and I've never had skipping issues before. Definitely worth the money.

[PenFan95]

Awesome review...

 

But the REAL star is that big Centennial

[prosimon]

Nice pen! Good review. Thanks for sharing.