Hero 100 Fountain Pen

[Dip n Scratch]

I would like to hear from any Forum member who has bought one of these pens.

I am interested if the pen is made of better materials than a genuine Hero 616, (aside from the 14K nib).

Have you had any issues with the section cracking?

[Mech-for-i]

the older production 100 do had a history of section cracking ( though still rather a small minority instead of major ) but Hero rectify the issue some years ago and current production is using the new molding and coupler and for years its agree upon that the new parts do resolve the issue = as for the material , technically they are of the similar ( I mean the plastic ) but the parts are engineered better alright , both sturdier and thicker, but do not expect something bullet proof unless you go for the flighter or the all steel ( C/C ) variant

 

Hero 100 actually predate the 616 so its really really old , the design is based off Parker51 / 61 and 21 , the overall engineering and build is complex and sure quality above all the other hooded nib from China of that era ( and still top end ) , but then for most outside of China you had to consider this the pen is tuned to write , well , what else Chinese and that mean it tend to be dry and lean on the ink flow and the grind favors short strokes over continuous cursive style writing , and typical of old style construction, one are expected to run in the nib oneself , don't expect smooth writing OOB

 

But if one want a brand new true to god aerometric filler hooded nib , this is the one to had

[Mech-for-i]

here are 2 of my more recent customized Hero 100

 

Hero 100 re-issued Rice Bran Grey with custom inlaid , custom Rainbow Flighter barrel & cap set, on Flickr

 

Hero 100 Custom, on Flickr

[Dip n Scratch]

Apart from looks is there any noticeable difference visible on paper?

Compared to a Hero 616

[Mech-for-i]

not sure what you mean by on the paper , the 100 write pretty well ( providing you know ahead of its character and accept it as it is or tune it to your liking ) , its a 14K nib, with some cushioning and still some feedback, not nail like the steel but do not expect much of line variation its a hooded nib these kind of nib can be smooth but they cannot be doing much on line variation which is what the 100 exhibit ..

 

To be honest , if you just starting with the hooded nib , I really think 100 not the best options , its a good pen, even a great one but its not design nor tuned for most writing Latin based cursive , 616 is a economy workhorse even in its days ( early 60's ) and all it does is it writes and that is all asked for it at the time ..

 

I really think you could explore the hooded nib , well in a more logical step up ( from 616 ) by getting a Wing Sung 601 ( whether its steel, 12K or 14K up to you ) , or for just testing out the hooded nib updated , try Hero's newer C/C equipped 616Plus, 616s, 329s or something like Jinhao 86 , Kaco Retro , if you just want a good step up from 616 and still want the old aerometric filler , try getting a Hero 565 ( original model , there is a new 565 that use C/C )

 

Hero 100 is a throw back , and if it fancy you this way and you know ahead of its irks and limitation ( the complex 51 style aerometric build ) , its writing character and you can accept it as it is .. then go for it

[Dip n Scratch]

I don't think I would buy a Hero 100. My personal opinion

The Wing Sung 601 with it's twin blue jewels looks beautiful. I have one with a steel nib & might have forked out for a 14K version if it came in Plum

[Mech-for-i]

4 hours ago, Dip n Scratch said:

I don't think I would buy a Hero 100. My personal opinion

The Wing Sung 601 with it's twin blue jewels looks beautiful. I have one with a steel nib & might have forked out for a 14K version if it came in Plum

 

The purple they put out is actually a dark plum , had one myself