Parker 51 Vs. Hero 616 Jumbo

[777]

So, I love both these pens for good reasons and I thought I'd do a super-extensive review of them. This comparison will hopefully help you see the differences and similarities in them.

 

You can find the whole thing with tons of pictures here.

 

So, here is going to be a comparison of two pens. Some people say these pens cannot be compared because of the huge price difference. I'm not of that opinion. I like both of these pens and they are very, very similar. Being so similar I thought I'd do a head one comparison and really nail down the differences and similarities between them.

 

Here goes:

 

Parker 51 VS. Hero 616 Jumbo.

 

I'll start out by talking just a bit about each pen.

 

Paker 51 - This pen has become legend among collectors as "the best pen in the world". Now, in some respects it certainly is not the best pen in the world. When people say that they refer to the fact that the Parker 51 is such a timeless and well built pen. It lasts, it's extremely sturdy, it still looks modern even though the design is over 50 years old. Most of all it's one of the most reliable pens ever made. Specifically the Aerometric model which I'll be using in the review. The Vac-Fills are also great but the Aeros are prctically indestructible.

 

Hero 616 Jumbo - This pen is, in the simplest sense, a Chinese knock-off of a real Parker 51. However, this pen does sport some good qualities which the 51 does not. As a pen it's very actually nice and when compared to a real 51 it can hold its own...

 

So, lets jump right in with size, weight, dimesions, etc.

 

Parker 51 - 5 1/2"/14mm capped - 5"/12.7mm uncapped - 6 15/16"/15.1mm posted - 2 1/2"/6.3mm cap length

 

Hero 616 - 5 9/16"/14.2mm capped - 5 1/16"/12.9mm uncapped - 5 7/8"/ 14.9mm posted - 2 9.16"/6.5mm cap length

 

I don't have a scale on hand but the 51 weighs almost twice as much as the 616. See the materials section for more information on this...

 

So, both pens are very close in dimensions the 616 being a tiny bit larger. Both pens are a very good size for me and feel comfortable in hand. One thing you will notice in the pictures below is that the 616's hood is much longer than the 51's. The 51 has a longer barrel, shorter hood. The 616 has a shorter barrel, longer hood. Measurments as follows:

 

51 - 1 1/2"/4mm hood length - 3 3/8"/8.6mm barrel length

616 - 1 7/8"/4.7mm hood length - 3 1/8"/7.8mm barrel length

 

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Apprearance and Design

 

Both pens look good though in my opinion the 51 is definitely a better looing pen. Especially if ou get one with a GF cap. To be fair to the 616 decided to use a simpler 51, just black with a steel cap.

 

Both pens are simple, understated and somewhat modern looking. At a distance, they can easily be mistaken for a ballpoint. Sometimes thi sis nice and other times not so much. If you're trying to not get noticed by carying a fountain pen tan a 51 or 616 is a good choice. If you want people to see that gorgeous open nib then a 51 or 616 is notyour best bet. I like the hooded design, others hate it. Many people grow to like it because they like the way the pen works so much.

 

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Materials or Fit & Finish

 

Here I'll talk about the materials used in each pen. 51's differ from pen to pen in things such as cap material i.e. - gold, lustraloy, steel, etc.

 

Parker 51 - This pen has much beter materials than those of the 616. The plastic is thick and durable, the cap s much thicker too. Caps are usually steel, lustraloy, or gold filled. All of these are built very well and last for a very long time.

 

Here 616 - This pen on the other hand has very inferior plastic. That's not to say it doesn't get the job done. On its own it stands very well but whe ncompared with a real 51 it is lakcing. The cap is really what's lacking. It's machined aluminum and is very lgihtweight. I can forsee the 616's cap getting dinged up very easily due to how thin it is.

 

Fit & Finish gets me talking of quality control aspects for each design. The Parker is by far a superior made pen. I'll talk a little more aobut this in the materials section but here I'll talk about the QC of the 51 VS. 616.

 

From afar both pens look very nice but it's only when one examines them up close that one begins to really notice the flaws i nthe 616's design. Things like: cheaply stamped clips, offset/crooked jewels, sharp edges on metal pieces, machining marks, unfinished pieces, etc. These are the kind of problems the 616 has. The 51 has none of these. It is superbly finshed and made in every aspect.

 

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Filling System

 

Both pens use the same filling system the 616 being a copy of the 51. For a cheap pen the 616 has a very nice filling system. It functions just as well as my 51's filling system. The only gripe I have with the 616's filler is the sharp edges we talked about in quality control.

 

Parker 51 - We are spekaing of Aerometric fillers today as I don't think the 616 is comparable to a Vac 51. The 51 uses a very well designed Aerometric filling system. This system was design over 50 years ago and still is one of the best out there. It is said to be leak proof in flight which my 51 certainly is. The 51 utilizes a plastic sac instead of a latex one. Though you can't see it in the pictures, the 51 sac is actually clear. Over the years it's been stianed black with ink but originally they were clear. The filler is operated by pressing the ribbed bar down 4 times while the pen point is in ink.

 

Hero 616 - Copying off of the 51's filling system makes this inexpensive pen have a very nice filling system for the price. The filler unit operation is the exact same on the 616 as it is on the 51. The filler is just a tad smaller in size. I havn't done a capacity test but someday I might. I also have not tested the 616 filling system in flight. I'm sure it would work just as well as the 51 though.

 

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Nibs

 

So, everything aside the most important hing about a pen is its nib. Mainly, the way it writes. I'll say right up front that both of tese pens are great writers. Both have ups and downs.

 

Parker 51 - First thing of not is it has a gold nib. Some people say gold nibs are better than steel. I've had no such experience. I enjoy my steel nib pens sometimes more than my gold nib ones. Still, gold is pretty to look at and is a status symbol of sorts. The 51 nib is what is known as a nail. Meaning it's a very hard nib with absolutely no flex at all. This is due to the tubular shape of it and te hood which prevents it from moving around. Now, in my case, the 51 has a uge advantage over the 616's nib. My 51 has a BB stub retip. I will not factor this in but instead talk about factory 51 nibs. The original fine nib I had on this pen was nice. Not great, not buttery smooth but nice. It wrote a fine line with 5/10 wetness aand it never complained. Parker nibs usually are good. I have yet to come across a bad one yet though I' msure they're out there.

 

Hero 616 - This pen can be both good or bad with the nibs. This is due to the lacing QC in the Chinese factories that produce these. If you have some knowledge of nib tweaking as I do then these 616's can be transformed into great writers! The fine nib on this 616 writes just as well as the factory nib on my 51 and it exhibits a softness to it instead of the nail hardness of the 51 nib. For the price these pens can be had for they are truly excellent writers. This nis is, just like the 51 nib, iridium tipped and will last for many years.

 

All in all both are great writers but the Hero wins out because of price.

 

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Pricing

 

Here's where the 616 really shines! in terms of value for dollar the 616 cannot be beat and totally smokes the 51.

 

Parker 51 pricing - This wuld be a fair price for a good condition pen, i.e. - not mint, but certainly not user grade. Nothing fancy like GF caps or rare colors. $85.00. 51 prices can go way up form thier but you can easily snag one for that price. Once you get into rare colors, DJ models, and factory stub nibs the price can up to $450.00 and beyond.

 

Hero 616 - This is where the pen tuly shines. They are best found on ebay in my experience and can be bought here in a 10 pack of 3 different colors (red, green, and black) for the humble price of $14.00 shipped. Now that's a deal! Only $1.40 a pen! They can be bought individually but they are about $4.00 a pen then. I would recommend getting a whole pack, keeping a few, and then giving the rest away as starter pens! These 616's are really a great value for dollar. Think about it, even if half the pens in the pack are bad you're still getting a great pen only $2.80 a piece! I've never hear dof half being bad. I have heard of having one or two duds in a pack of ten.

 

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All in all these are both great pens and if I had to choose one I'd probably pick the 51. However, if you're wanting try out a real 51 but don't have the $$$ yet then buy a 616. They are excellent carry-around pens. I take mine places wher eI would never take my other pens...

 

Hope you'e enjoyed the review/comparison. Please, do me the huge favor of dropping a comment below. It helps keep me going on the blog!

 

Regards,

777 - Tyler Dahl

[jniforat]

man, that's an extensive review of these two classics. great job, tyler. i completely agree -- if you can afford a "51", 6for it; if not, get a 616 Jumbo.

 

keep up the great work!

[777]

  On 5/14/2011 at 6:59 PM, jniforat said:

man, that's an extensive review of these two classics. great job, tyler. i completely agree -- if you can afford a "51", 6for it; if not, get a 616 Jumbo.

 

keep up the great work!

 

 

Thanks for the kind words! It helps keep me blogging on!

 

As soon as I can get my hands on more pens I'll do more reviews and comparisons...

 

Regards,

777

 

 

[Surfbits]

Nice job Tyler, thank you so much for sharing.

[The Royal Pen]

You used that gorgeous Parker 51 which you reviewed not too far back

[777]

  On 5/14/2011 at 10:10 PM, Surfbits said:

Nice job Tyler, thank you so much for sharing.

 

 

Thanks, I'm really glad you liked it!

 

  On 5/14/2011 at 11:34 PM, The Royal Pen said:

You used that gorgeous Parker 51 which you reviewed not too far back

 

Yes, for the 1.3mm Stub Minuskin Re-Tip. It's not my favorite Parker 51 actually... I'd like an Aerometric in Burgundy someday... This ones perfect for me now though!

 

Regards,

777

[Surfbits]

Tyler,

A quick question, are there more then one form factor or model for the Hero 616? I see different looking styles and sizes on ebay. I have some Hero's 323 and 007 and there's not a lot of difference that I see to the 616. Anything you are aware of?

[777]

  On 5/15/2011 at 12:03 PM, Surfbits said:

Tyler,

A quick question, are there more then one form factor or model for the Hero 616? I see different looking styles and sizes on ebay. I have some Hero's 323 and 007 and there's not a lot of difference that I see to the 616. Anything you are aware of?

 

Well, as far as I know there is the 616 and the 616 jumbo. I think the 616 jumbo is more common and therefore easier to find. It's what I used in the review and is much closer to the 51's actual size.

 

Could be other variants, I don't know that much about Heros'

 

Regards,

777

[Osmaroid]

Nice and thoughtful review and comparison. Your experience of the Hero 616 performance matches my own when I get a genuine Hero. I should warn those who get enticed by the cheap 10-packs from China - many of them are Chinese counterfeits of the Chinese Hero 616. Yes, that's right, they counterfeit their own manufacturers when the original is a desirable item. I have found that buying from a trusted American supplier such as Isellpens.com or HisNibs.com may cost more, but you can be sure of a genuine item and it is still remarkably cheap (I am not associated with either dealer, just a satisfied customer). I have also bought several 10 packs on eBay - as far as I can tell, one was genuine, the others counterfeit. There are slight differences in the packaging graphics, the pens are not as well made, and the nib performance is awful if you get the counterfeit 10 packs. I think that if you used the counterfeits as gifts to turn people on the the use of fountain pens, they may well have the opposite effect!

[richardandtracy]

I have always thought that the comparison between the P51 & H616 is unfair, as the P51 was a top of the range pen and aimed at that market, while the H616 most certainly isn't. Which is why I did a P21S-H616 comparison review ( https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=63828 ), coming to the conclusion that both are good everyday, mid range pens & generally very suitable.

 

My biggest problem with the H616 is the nib, only being a F/XF nib. Had it been available in a Western Medium or larger I'd use them much more.

 

The quality control isn't really adequate, but even the bad pens can be made to work.

 

Nice review, even if a bit unfair on the H616 due to the apples-oranges comparison.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[trent]

Thanks for the thorough review, but my experience with Heroes has been awful. They have not, in my experience, come at all close to a P-51. In fact, I had to toss most of them away as useless. Caps that didn't fit, horrible nibs, leakage...Yes, the low cost is impressive, but if you end up with a short-lived pen, what have you really gained? My advice: save up for a P-51, even a user-grade one, and you will have a pen for a lifetime, an efficient and no-nonsense workhorse that looks very sleek and modern.

Edited May 16, 2011 by trent

[lovemy51]

if you don't have a p51... well, you don't have a p51!

[raffaele from turin - italy]

  On 5/17/2011 at 8:30 AM, lovemy51 said:

if you don't have a p51... well, you don't have a p51!

 

 

....fortunately....

[Jorge]

Hi Tyler,

I believe that you are actually comparing a "fake" Hero 616 with the P51.

I own both "real" and "fake" 616's plus several P51's and, in my experience, sections, caps, clips and cap jewels are fully interchangeable (while of course not made of the same material) between "real" 616's and P51's.

This is clearly not the case with the ones you compare, as you mention different sizes for the sections among them.

By the way, my experience with most Heros (Heroes?) I own is fairly good. With the 51's, outstanding.

Excellent comparison otherwise.

[richardandtracy]

You know Jorge may be right.

 

The caps on my H616's are all plated steel with converging lines. It is possible, though, that Hero have changed their design. The rest of the pen looks right to me though.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[redisburning]

  On 5/17/2011 at 8:30 AM, lovemy51 said:

if you don't have a p51... well, you don't have a p51!

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

I want to say, I am sure Hero can make a fantastic pen, but I cant understand how people can be OK with a pen that is a blatant ripoff. How is it different than other counterfeit products? Oh, it doesnt claim to be a P51... this isn't a PRS singlecut vs a les paul, these are two pens that a non-pen person probably wouldnt be able to tell apart. That's really pushing it. My honest suggestion for those who want a cheap, high quality Chinese pen, is to look at Hero's offerings that are original designs.

 

 

  On 5/17/2011 at 11:26 AM, camillococcodrillo said:

  On 5/17/2011 at 8:30 AM, lovemy51 said:

if you don't have a p51... well, you don't have a p51!

 

 

....fortunately....

 

Over/Under for you getting banned is a month.

[Sailor Kenshin]

  On 5/15/2011 at 12:39 AM, 777 said:

  On 5/14/2011 at 10:10 PM, Surfbits said:

Nice job Tyler, thank you so much for sharing.

 

 

Thanks, I'm really glad you liked it!

 

  On 5/14/2011 at 11:34 PM, The Royal Pen said:

You used that gorgeous Parker 51 which you reviewed not too far back

 

Yes, for the 1.3mm Stub Minuskin Re-Tip. It's not my favorite Parker 51 actually... I'd like an Aerometric in Burgundy someday... This ones perfect for me now though!

 

Regards,

777

 

Everyone knows I am a huge fan of Heros, and always have at least one 616 inked.

 

This is the best comparison review I've seen. Thanks.

 

I think you hit the differences between the two pens really well. Sure, the 616 is a far cheaper pen --- but for the three bucks each I paid, it's (they) are great.

 

The 616, by the way, is a HOMAGE to the 51, never a *coughcough* rip-off.

[777]

  On 5/20/2011 at 1:10 AM, Sailor Kenshin said:

  On 5/15/2011 at 12:39 AM, 777 said:

  On 5/14/2011 at 10:10 PM, Surfbits said:

Nice job Tyler, thank you so much for sharing.

 

 

Thanks, I'm really glad you liked it!

 

  On 5/14/2011 at 11:34 PM, The Royal Pen said:

You used that gorgeous Parker 51 which you reviewed not too far back

 

Yes, for the 1.3mm Stub Minuskin Re-Tip. It's not my favorite Parker 51 actually... I'd like an Aerometric in Burgundy someday... This ones perfect for me now though!

 

Regards,

777

 

Everyone knows I am a huge fan of Heros, and always have at least one 616 inked.

 

This is the best comparison review I've seen. Thanks.

 

I think you hit the differences between the two pens really well. Sure, the 616 is a far cheaper pen --- but for the three bucks each I paid, it's (they) are great.

 

The 616, by the way, is a HOMAGE to the 51, never a *coughcough* rip-off.

 

Well put Sailor Kenshin! Glad you liked the review! Yes, for three bucks you really can't beat a 616. Well, maybe... I dunno...

 

Anyway, they're great pens and I do agree that they are more of a homage than a rip-off of the Parker 51.

 

Regards,

777

[xxloverxx]

  On 5/15/2011 at 12:03 PM, Surfbits said:

Tyler,

A quick question, are there more then one form factor or model for the Hero 616? I see different looking styles and sizes on ebay. I have some Hero's 323 and 007 and there's not a lot of difference that I see to the 616. Anything you are aware of?

 

The 007 is slimmer than the 616 and has a flat top without a hole.

[777]

  On 5/20/2011 at 1:26 AM, xxloverxx said:

  On 5/15/2011 at 12:03 PM, Surfbits said:

Tyler,

A quick question, are there more then one form factor or model for the Hero 616? I see different looking styles and sizes on ebay. I have some Hero's 323 and 007 and there's not a lot of difference that I see to the 616. Anything you are aware of?

 

The 007 is slimmer than the 616 and has a flat top without a hole.

 

Oops... sorry I failed to respond to your question. Looks like I was beat to it...

 

I don't actually know much about hero pens. Just the 616.

 

Sounds like this guy knows what he's talking about so: what he said!

 

 

Regards,

777