A Hero 117? What is this?

January 30, 2009

I haven't really toyed with really inexpensive fountain pens since I first got into them some time ago. However, I was browsing on eBay for the heck of it and came across several listings for what are listed as Hero 117s. Now, normally the most popular Chinese pen moved on eBay in large quantities is the 616. You can get 10 packs of those for 15 bucks, shipped. However, these are running a close second. Fifteen pens for 22 dollars, shipped. I really wouldn't pay any mind at all, but the form factor is somewhat interesting. They're listed as using a "detachable piston," which I assume to be some sort of converter, which has me intrigued.

The thing is, I can't find anything on this model of pen at all. Are these even Heroes?

Here is a link to one such auction of these pens. Can someone shed some light on these pens? What are they, and are they any good?

January 30, 2009

I am curious to hear what others have to say about this. I don't know anything about this Hero.

However, in looking at the photos, what they call "detatchable piston style" is just a cheap plastic converter of the push variety (instead of twist converter). I have some experience with these converters, and they are NOT pistons.

July 23, 2011

I just got one. (Yes,ONE, and paid too much for it...didn't know it came in multi-packs...I should've done more research first...live and learn!)

The Pros:

It writes good (fine-med line), very smooth.

It looks good.

It has some heft to it.

Cons:

It's a very slim pen. Much like a Bic stick ballpoint, maybe a mm larger. Only it's made of painted metal tubing. I have small hands and even still, I found that it's not very comfortable to write with after a while.

The cap is the kind you have to snap on and off with pressure. A lot of pressure. A blob of ink came flying out when I opened yesterday, from the "snap" action.

Speaking of the cap, it doesn't stay posted very well. If you don't press and turn it onto the pen just so, it'll fall off.

Nothing major, but it's a bit annoying to have it fall off when you're writing. The pen is long enough to write with unposted, (10.5 cm/ approx 4 1/4") but barely.

The piston is the type that has a slider on the side that you push up to fill and down to expell the air. It works okay, no leaks or anything, but it doesn't hold very much ink.

In fact, I've decided to just use this pen for testing out new ink color recipe samples for now.

I do think a very young person might like this, because of it's looks. It would make a cute starter fountain pen perhaps. It does write very smoothly.