A New Hero 100?

January 17, 2009

Hello All,

I have learned much by reading the discussions on this board and have found that, usually, my questions have already been answered. Perhaps this question has been answered, too, but I am unable to find it: Is Hero coming out with a new version of the 100?

See, I recently found a Hero 100 pen that is unlike the others I have seen for sale - the pen body is a solid, thick, fluted metal. The cap is decorated in a two-tone silver and gold. The clip seems to be more 'secure.' Finally, the hood of this 100 contains a swoosh (some call the 'Star Trek' emblem) similar to the old style Hero 300 and 329, however the shape is larger and more rounded. When held and compared with my stainless Hero 100 'Flighter' this pen is definitely heavier and feels more solid.

I have not found another 100 like this since, and never saw one before. Were these a special run, a prototype, or a new style we have not imported yet? Does anyone have any information or contacts within the Shanghai Hero Pen Company?

Thanks much!

January 17, 2009

It sounds like the older style plated brass 100 jumbos that I've seen once or twice.

Edited January 17, 2009 by HerosNSuch

January 17, 2009

I think speerbob has one up on eBay, and Todd at iSellPens has some listed on his site as well. I think Todd's listing indicates they are called something like "Glorious 100" while speerbob's listing indicates it is the newest type of 100. My guess is that it's a somewhat more refined Hero product taking aim at Duke and probably produced more for the western market than anything. I'd love to hear more from people who have a better clue than me, though.

Edited January 17, 2009 by Jimmy James

January 17, 2009

If that's the case, they may be re-releasing the brass model. And I may have to scoop up a box of them.

Edited January 17, 2009 by HerosNSuch

January 17, 2009

Thanks for the info, guys. I just got my 100 Stainless from Todd at iSellPens and completely missed the "Glorious 100" right above it on the same page.

To be honest, I've had nothing but good luck with my hooded Hero pens. I've had a Hero 330 since 2005 and it writes super smooth now (it was my daily writer in college). The 100 I just purchased was smooth right out of the box (but the nib isn't perfectly aligned with the hood - any suggestions?), so I'm probably going to get a few more. I think the most important thing for me, though, is if a pen happened to get ruined it's not like I just lost $100+ on a much nicer pen (Sheaffer, Pelikan, etc.). The only gripe I had was the Hero 616's hood was too short for my liking. This wouldn't have been a problem if the ink-view window wasn't there and the pen was smooth throughout - then my fingers wouldn't have been bumping into it all the time. I solved that problem by giving that pen to my fiance...

January 18, 2009

I have three 100s, a standard plastic one in green, a stainless steel faux flighter (foo fighter?), and a brass-bodied 'Silver' model. The sections, nib/feed and filler are identical.

The only reason for choosing one over another is weight and balance, depending on whether you want a light, medium or heavier pen.

January 19, 2009

In that case, does anyone know if Hero is cutting back on 'implanting' the Parker 61-ish 'swoosh' or 'Star Trek' logo in the hood of their hooded nibs? I noticed the "new" Hero 330 and 329 don't seem to have that feature anymore... Is this feature still being made for the Glorious 100 or are those pens dealer-stock only these days?

January 19, 2009

Could the answer to this be in an earlier thread about conterfeit Hero 100s?

ron

January 19, 2009

Could the answer to this be in an earlier thread about conterfeit Hero 100s?
ron

I'd be surprised to see speerbob or Todd at isellpens selling fakes. I've done business with both buying Heros before, and they have been the authentic stuff. My only experience with fakes has come when I have strayed outside the two of them and went with an eBay seller unknown to me.

January 21, 2009

I'd be surprised to see speerbob or Todd at isellpens selling fakes. I've done business with both buying Heros before, and they have been the authentic stuff. My only experience with fakes has come when I have strayed outside the two of them and went with an eBay seller unknown to me.

I've ordered from both and no problems at all. Both are great sellers. I think it may be a design change that makes the pen cheaper to manufacture. Poo-poo on that, Hero!