How to fill Hero pen?

[Hunnybear998]

Ok so i'm new to this whole experience but i have an enormous passion for calligraphy and fountain pens and have a Hero brand pen but no information on it, i found it. I tried using the well to pull the ink into it and it isn't working could someone please give me some information or help me figure it out. I've tried googling it or asking local stores but to no avail i've come up empty handed.

Sincerely,

Troubled Pen-lass.

[wimg]

Anybody here with a similar Hero pen who can provide an answer for a newbie?

 

TIA, warm regards, Wim

[Sailor Kenshin]

I have a ton of Heros and it depends on the model.

 

Some of them have that squeezy bulb filler system.

 

Others can accept standard internationals. I'd need to know the model or see a pic before I could pinpoint your problem.

[Scrawler]

I have a number of Hero pens and frequently give them to newbies to get them started. How you fill yours depends on the model. Most Hero pens are either cartridge/converter or "aerometric". In the case of many of their cheaper pens, the "aerometric" does not work well and it helps to remove the aluminium sleeve over the rubber bulb and squeeze the bulb directly. It takes a minimum of 5 squeezes on the bulb and can take 10 to fill the sac completely. Please give us the model number and we will be able to advise better.

[Ernst Bitterman]

A model number would probably help out. My experience with Hero calligraphy pens is limited to the 285, which has the up-bent tip meant for use in eastern calligraphy, rather than the italic point of western calligraphy. That pen has the fixed press-bar filler, so assuming the pens in question are the same:

- Remove barrel to reveal filler (this is obvious, but one hates to leave it out).

- Put the point into your ink bottle, submerging it completely and a little bit of the section as well.

- Press the bar firmly (there should be bubbles blown in the ink at this), release it, and wait a second or two.

- Repeat previous between 4 and 8 times, the object being to have the bubble-blowing stop.

- Remove pen from ink, and while holding it over the bottle press the bar gently to release three or four drops into the bottle. Release the bar to take a little air into the pen (this de-floods the feed, and will give better performance).

- Using a bit of paper towel or a cloth you don't mind getting ink on, wipe residual ink from point and section.

- Replace barrel and hopefully the pen is now ready to reveal the architecture of your soul.

 

edit: I second the removal of the filler-cover on the cheaper models. You can tell if it needs removing because it is slightly dull aluminum rather than {some metal} plated in chrome.

Edited April 11, 2011 by Ernst Bitterman

[Sailor Kenshin]

Good description!

 

If it's one of those squeezy-fill models you'll get a better fill and be able to see your ink if you first remove the whole metal tube.

 

They usually come off with a gentle twist. Whether you put it back is up to you.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've been trying to figure out the make of an entirely different pen, and have hit upon a Hero calligraphy set with western-style points... which is a cartridge filler. For this, you need to find an "international" style cartridge (made by, off the top of my head: Waterman, Private Reserve, Herbin, Bruynzeel, Pelikan... and some others) but NOT Sheaffer, Parker, Cross or Lamy. Press the narrow bit of the cartridge into the back of the section until you feel it penetrate-- the easiest way to do this is to rest the base of the cartridge against the table-top and push the section down. Restore the section to the barrel. To get the ink from the cartridge to the business end of the point, there's a couple of tricks:

- Dip the point in water, then use a paper towel to draw the water out. The ink will follow (but will be slightly watery)

- Wrap the point in paper towel and flick the pen as if cracking a whip. When you see ink on the paper towel, you're ready to go. Be certain of your grip.

[Hunnybear998]

Thank you all for the replies. I figured out how to fill it but now the ink will not come out and let me write. I've tried running it under warm water but to no avail. Any further suggestions?

Thank you. GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!! :-D

[Scrawler]

Thank you all for the replies. I figured out how to fill it but now the ink will not come out and let me write. I've tried running it under warm water but to no avail. Any further suggestions?

Thank you. GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!! :-D

Take a look at the nib. On cheaper Heros there have been problems with cutting the nib. Make sure the tines are of equal size, with a good cut between them. If the tines are distinct and separate, but too close together then the ink will not flow. If this is the case you need to carefully separate the tines so that a little bit of light shows through. With a steel nib, you can use a razor knife, like an Xacto to gently part the tines. Do not overdo it. What model is your pen?

[FlyFast]

If it is a cartridge pen, make sure the cartridge is pushed in far enough. You have to push it enough to break the end of the cartridge and seat it all the way down.

[Sailor Kenshin]

You can also use film negative to ease the tines apart.