Hero Fp's... are they any good?

[Onion]

I have been looking at Hero Fountain Pens and I find myself wondering if they are of decent quality or not. Does anyone use them and which models do you recommend?

[Goodwhiskers]

Hero pens have some staunch fans here.

 

IMHO, Hero pens range from good (the cheapest models, the 329, 330 and 616) to very good (the 100 and the rest). I have a 329 and I like it (very narrow, wet line), but it's not one of my main pens. There are plenty of pens with smoother nib tips under $25 USD, including the Hero 100 and all of the non-hooded-nib Heroes, none of which I own (yet).

[Betty]

I like the 329 even though it feels cheap because it makes such a wet but very fine line. I love the 100 because of its build quality The Hero 100's price increased. It's over $25 now.

[randyholhut]

Having used the Hero 329, 330, 616 and 100, I would suggest getting a 329 to see if you like the nibs and buying a 100 if you do.

 

The 329/330s are the among the best cheap pens out there, but the 100 is definitely better put together. If you can't afford a Parker 51 or 61 flighter, a Hero 100 flighter is nice alternative. The 616 falls in between the 329/330 and the 100 and is good if you want something with a thicker barrel than the 329 but a lower price than the 100.

[Guest]

Hi!

 

I have a M189 Black & Gold a couple of the 100s and a Hero 712. They have Gold 12k Nibs and though they claim a Medium, they are more on the American Fine side. hey are great writters and people do notice them. There are more pens on the same price range $17.00 - $40 range like the Lamy's and some of the smaller Pelikans, though I a have a couple of Lamy's and a Pelikan (thanx to Karin) I would not feel bad purchasing a few more. Duke on the other hand is very good looking pen as well, but Hero has given me a better performance. Duke uses steel on most of its pens, while you do get at least 12K gold with Hero. They are easy to start, and leave a nice wet line. I only had a problem with the 712 where it was a bit toothie, sent it back and got a different one and all's well. I would put their writtin confort and feel with the Parker Sonnets with the Steel nib. So, IMHO they are worth the try.

[krz]

I've got a Hero that's kind of Targa-esq that's my best detail pen with it's ultra fine nib.

I've got a Stainless 508 that's one of my main "always with me" pens. And I've got a really neat Black Pearl Hero (Model# unknown) that I like allot as well.

 

So far I've had good luck with Heros and Dukes.

[Velma]

I very much like my Hero 329, which has a nice extra-fine (Asian fine) line, a smooth nib, and a simple shape. I wish the cap were a screw-on, but I now keep it in a two-pen case, so I don't have episodes of escaping cap any more.

 

I have several of the celluloid ones in sapphire blue, gold, and grey from the 1990s, which still work, after shameful amounts of neglect and abuse. I suspect that they might be good for children who are interested: pretty, inexpensive, and just intricate enough to amuse them while teaching.

[Matt]

Hello Johnny,

 

I have tried literally dozens of different models of Heros (and Dukes) during my various trips to China. I have tried everything from very cheap school pens to very nice celluloid pens with 14k nibs and everything in between.

 

I concur with what has been said above. I recommend the 329, 616, and the 100 (which has a 14k nib). These pens are good writers and are very reliable. The more expensive Heros, like the 200 (12k nib) and thhe 2019 (14k nib) are quite impressive. The nibs are springy giving some nice line variation.

 

Dukes are relatively new and are also made very well (metal threads, nice lacquer finishes over brass barrels, etc. I posted two Dukes for sale awhile ago. Let me know if you are interested. The prices are negotiable as well.

 

Matt C.

[Kelly]

Hi Johnny,

 

I have only one Hero, a 160, and it's great. It's the purse I keep in my wallet and write all my checks with. It's an aerometic filler and the ink supply is rather large. I still haven't had to re-fill it after 5 months and I use it several times a week. Smooth, very fine line and starts up every time. Inexpensive as well. I think it was around $20, including shipping from Todd at I Sell Pens (usual disclaimer).

 

Btw, did you ever get my return email/pm about stub nibs? Hope that info lead you in the right direction

[J. John Harvey]

I paid $55 for my Hero 100 - the silvery finish - quite a hefty pen, but I lent it to a teacher who pressed too hard, and then a freshman caused it to roll off my desk.

[Glenn-SC]

I have one.

Don't know the model number.

Sort of gold metal looking hexagonal barrel and cap.

Doesn't write particularly well.

I don't use it.

Didn't make me want another one.

[Bill]

I have two Hero 100's so far. The hooded nibs are stiff but very reliable. I've used the pens to test new inks intended for more expensive pens. Unfortunately they handle anything I throw in them, whether wet or dry. The only problem was a scratchy clip on one.

 

Bill

[jpolaski]

I picked up a black Hero 100, and had to return it due to serious flow issues. It was exchanged for a "flighter" model, which had the same problem. I fixed it by using a razor blade down between the tines to open up the flow just a bit, and now it writes just as well as my "51". There are a couple of minor fit and finish issues, like a slightly off center barrel threading, and the blind cap seems to have its cap popped off and floating in the end of the cap. I still use mine often, especially now that I fixed the flow.

[Guest ketan889]

How would you guys say a Parker 45(vintage, not new model) compares to these pens or something like the Walitys?

[Guest]

Hi Ketan889!

 

Allow me to share MHO. I've owned a few Parker 45's and I can say that the feel of the nib comapared to a Sonnet is very similar, but I preffer the Sonnet's Nib better. As I mentioned in the previous post, I have found that the Heros compare IMO to the steel Sonnet nibs. The WM Phileas may be a good comparison as well. Walitys are surprisingly nice, great writers, but the Hero's esthetics appeal more to me. When I need dead on accurate and continual flow when I edit my procedures manuals at work, I rely on the Walitys 52 and the Hero 100. They are light to the hand, more so than the other pens I own and if they fall off the desk I will not be as traumatize as say the Conklin or one of the Esties. I'd say they are worth the personal experience, not too expensive and they are both nice pen over all.

Just my $0.02

 

Angelo

[jthole]

I have a gold plated Hero 100, and it is one of the best pens that I have. Smooth, reliable, even ink flow until the last drop, comfortable to use. I heard bad things about Hero QC though, so I don't know if I am lucky with mine.

[Rich]

I just picked up a Hero 100 with the intent of carrying when I didn't want to risk a nicer pen. As others mentioned I found the nib to be a smooth writer, putting down a consistent, fine line.

 

I am disappointed in the cap (as disappointed as I can be at a pen of this price!). It doesn't slide on with the authority of my "51"s and seems like it will come off very easily, so easily that I wouldn't carry it in my shirt. Have others had the same experience with this model, or am I just being too demanding?

 

Overall, I'm glad I picked it up as it does write well. I'll probably use it to hold some of my more "interesting" ink colors for when the mood strikes.

 

Best,

Rich

[Lemon328i]

I have two Hero 100's and I like them enough to have sent one off to Richard for a nib re-tip and re-grind. I find them to be basically a modern version of the aerometric Parker 51.

 

For about $100, you can end up with a brand new pen, with exactly the nib you want, with an excellent filling system, with classic good looks and that should last for decades. You can't buy a mint condition P51 for that price and you certainly won't have as many nib options.

 

I just wish someone would make a modern P51 Vacumatic!

 

The cap on the Hero 100 is a metal on plastic friction fit, so it doesn't have the authoritative feel of the metal fon metal friction fit that a true P51 has. It should not come loose though if you push the cap on reasonably tightly.