Extra Light Fountain Pen

I bought two Hero Pens at the same time. In my other review, I describe how the plastic housing the nib and feed had a crack in it. Well, when I inked up this pen, I was disappointed to see that it also leaked all over my hand. In this case, the ink just seemed to pass up through the threads to where it could get out. I think a bit of silicon grease should take care of the problem, but it irritates me that a pen shows up basically needing to be repaired before it can go into use. I have learned that hard way that you get what you pay for, and I shall not buy any more Hero pens.

For five or six bucks this is an amazing pen. It's modeled after the Parker 51 (1939 to 1972), so the design is time tested: it looks good and, more importantly, it feels good in the hand while writing with it. Now, I've read some of the negative reviews here, so I wasn't expecting much. I've had it for about a month and I've filled it with ink twice. I'm using some really high-quality Japanese ink: Pilot Iroshizuku take-sumi black ink, which might be helping the performance of the pen, I don't know. Who knows, maybe the quality control at the factory might be spotty, so maybe there are a few lemons out there, that's the only way I can understand the negative reviews. So far this pen has not leaked or clogged, and I'm really enjoying the heck out of writing with it. The one thing I will add is, when you fill it with bottled ink, remove the aluminum sleeve that's over the filling sac and squeeze the bulb directly with the nib submerged into the ink until the pen is completely filled; then I put the aluminum sleeve back on to protect it. I think the aluminum sleeve was originally designed to help fill the pen, but mine doesn't do much of anything so I just keep it there for protection. I'll get a real Parker 51 later this year (those can run about $150), but in the mean time I'm having fun with a pen that shouldn't be as good as it is for this price, and I look forward to trying out different inks in it as well.

I have used Hero pens earlier in my childhood and was interested in buying one again. Its very scratchy, more than what i remember it used to be. Quality of plastic and cap is good though. If you dont care about price, I would say go and buy a pilot fountain pen.

This is an imitation of the classic Parker 51. it has an extra fine point, which I like, and writes very smoothly with no scratching. When you first fill it, you must turn it point up, tap it a couple times and depress the bulb carefully to expel air. Then while holding bulb fill again. You may need to do this more than once, but you won't need to again. once the air is out its out, unless you empty it for storage.

Poor quality. Out of package, the pen came looking like used. The metal barrel that houses the rubber ink holder was full of scratches and looked used. Pen cap had dirt on it. I’ll still use it since it’s functional.

Copy of a classic "51" fountain pen. Writes ok but leaks after a couple days. Bought another (different seller) , thinking I received a dud but, same performance. Leaks after a couple days. tried coating where it is joined together to stop the leak but no success. You can refund money or send another but I am not going through the effort to return this unusable fountain pen Thank You

This is probably the best ~$6 I have spent. This pen works very, very well, is easy to fill and the reservoir is more than adequate. I use the Chinese ink with this pen as well with good results. I honestly prefer this $5 Hero and Parker 54 copy to my $400 Mont Blanc. Not only is this a good writer, but it fits well in the hand. The industrial design is great, post art deco and pre-modern with some streamline-detailing on the cap, It's just an amazing throwback to mid 1940-50's design. The only admonition about this pen I would offer is to periodically wipe down the nib, ink tends to accumulate with barometric changes or through movement, but if you're used to writing with fountain pens, this is probably already a habit.

The Hero 616 fountain pen , is ,a close clone of the Parker 51, but without the quality of my Parker 51. I have not inked it so my impression of the writing quality is not known. The Hero 616 at it's price is a good deal, but not a great pen.

Billed as the "Hero Extra Light Fountain Pen" this is exactly what it is. Delivered in a basic presentation box, this extremely lightweight, almost featherweight, fountain pen is great value at just under £3. Despite its low price point, it writes like a dream, with a slight element of scratchiness that helps you to know you are in contact with your paper. Filling is by a press bar that is revealed once you unscrew the nib assembly. Years ago I used to have the original of this pen. This modern replacement is only a fraction of what I would have paid for the original, yet is a most satisfactory writing tool. Very happy with it. Don't forget to buy a bottle of ink too!

Muy buena imitacion

Works on suction for refilling from ink bottle. Nice to write with but not the classiest pen in the pencil case.

Tiene la punta fina, buenos materiales, su sistema recarga es eficiente, solo que la tapa de metal está muy grande.

You get what you pay for. The pen is a very cheap construction, I like the fine nib but the squeeze-fill reservoir is extremely tedious and temperamental to operate and it is almost impossible to see how much ink you have actually managed to coax in to the pen. A shame as it is actually not too bad to write with.