The 616s just arrived. Condolences accepted

[gmgaj]

I just received an order for 3 Hero 616 pens this afternoon. I should state I'm very new to the FP world, and don't have a ton of experience, but here's my impression. I already have a pilot metropolitan, and a restored parker 21. The hero pens are better than I expected, somewhere in the area of the parker 21.

The first thing I did when I got them was to flush the pens out with water, then dry them. After that, I filled each with a different ink. The first got Private Reserve quick dry tanzanite. It is an ink that I didn't have much luck with in my metro, but the 616 seems to be doing much better with it. My daughter took this one because she liked the purple ink. The second one got Noodler's Navaho Turquoise. Again, it seems to be writing fine. My oldest son took it because the color of ink was cool to him. The third one got bad belted kingfisher. It also seems to be writing great, and I'm trying to keep my hands on it, but my youngest son is making comments that make me think I am about to go 0-3.

I am fairly impressed with these pens for the price. I've heard quality can be a problem, but all 3 of mine are writing fine, and feel good to use. The nibs are broader than my 21, and a little thinner than my metro. Just right, IMO. No complaints at all. I might have to get some more, especially at $2.65 or so each.

 

[vreddy2000]

can't wait to get mine. fingers crossed as i found on the interwebs that there are now clones of the 616's.

do the nibs line with the hood? did you have to tweak them any?

 

[gmgaj]

Everything looked fine. I just flushed them out to be safe, and went about my business. They write great, and I like them more as I use the one I have left more.

 

[AndrewGWU]

I have been thinking about getting a few. You seem happy with yours. Where did you get them?

 

[gmgaj]

On the bay. I spent an extra dollar and got a set that shipped from the US instead of China. Search hero 616. They are everywhere. You can get 10 packs for around $15 or 3 packs for $7 or 8. I really don't know if they are knock offs or originals, but I'm happy with them, and don't have any complaints yet. Seriously, $2.66 each. Cheaper than disposables.

 

[the_edski]

Hero 616's are knock-offs of the old Parker 51. Everyone and their mother cloned those, so no big deal. I like them for the price. Just don't shake them or make too sudden of a movement because BOOM! ink drops everywhere!

 

[celestino]

Congratulations, but no pics?!

 

[AndrewGWU]

Yeah, the only place I have ever looked at the 616s are at His Nibs

However, they are quite a bit more expensive than the bay. However, it is my understanding that Norman from HisNibs actually adjusts the nibs of each pen. It seems I have heard that they frequently need some tweaking. Would it be recommended to buy a big lot like this and hope for a good one, or simply order one from hisnibs for $15 that has been checked out and fixed if needed?

 

[vreddy2000]

Yeah, the only place I have ever looked at the 616s are at His Nibs

However, they are quite a bit more expensive than the bay. However, it is my understanding that Norman from HisNibs actually adjusts the nibs of each pen. It seems I have heard that they frequently need some tweaking. Would it be recommended to buy a big lot like this and hope for a good one, or simply order one from hisnibs for $15 that has been checked out and fixed if needed?

I would try first, there are only about 6 parts for the whole pen and there are detailed instructions on how to take it apart and put it back together.
hot water from the tap is the only thing you need.
with those tools needed even I can try my hand at tweaking them.

 

[gmgaj]

Congratulations, but no pics?!

I'll try to get some, but it might be of just the black one. The red and green will have to be tracked down in the kids rooms, but I don't mind. They are good for first FPs for the kids. Maybe a shot next to my 21 and metropolitan for comparison.

I would try first, there are only about 6 parts for the whole pen and there are detailed instructions on how to take it apart and put it back together.
hot water from the tap is the only thing you need.
with those tools needed even I can try my hand at tweaking them.

And for $15, you can buy 10 and feel fairly certain that you will have a couple of good ones at least. I had 3 good ones out of 3. I am probably going to order more.

 

[vreddy2000]

I'll try to get some, but it might be of just the black one. The red and green will have to be tracked down in the kids rooms, but I don't mind. They are good for first FPs for the kids. Maybe a shot next to my 21 and metropolitan for comparison.



And for $15, you can buy 10 and feel fairly certain that you will have a couple of good ones at least. I had 3 good ones out of 3. I am probably going to order more.

this is again from the interwebs,
I know the 616 are clones but there are now clones of the clones which are really bad.
and the ten packs are prime candidates for that,
so I'd stay away from the 10 packs and hunt for singles or 3 packs,
not sure if any of above is true but hey the fun is in the hunt rt?

 

[gmgaj]

this is again from the interwebs,
I know the 616 are clones but there are now clones of the clones which are really bad.
and the ten packs are prime candidates for that,
so I'd stay away from the 10 packs and hunt for singles or 3 packs,
not sure if any of above is true but hey the fun is in the hunt rt?

But the auction listing for the 10 pack said they were real heros! Good point. I'll stick with the 3 packs.

 

[Dave258]

Wow, clones of the clones, what would Brian say about that?

 

[jzuzphreek]

Wow, clones of the clones, what would Brian say about that?

 

[brianw]

 

[Nightshade18]

My 616 has been promoted to my daily writer after an 'accident' with my best pen. I bought it from yes pens on ebay who I believe sell real hero's. They also have a detailed guide on how to spot the fakes here:
http://stores.ebay.com/YesPen/Know-more-about-the-hero-pen.html

That gives me confidence that they're selling the real ones. Still, it only helps once you have the pen in your hand - other sellers can use any old picture in their listings.

I bought a blister pack with just one pen in, but it also contained a little bottle of ink - perfect if it's your first pen, or if you haven't tried ink yet. I guess it's just random hero ink, but it seems to work well.

 

[the_edski]

A clone of a clone...sounds like Multiplicity!

 

[gmgaj]

Here's my 3. It's not much, but I like them. If you can't read my scratches, they are (t to b) Pilot Metropolitan, Parker 21 (I think), and Hero 616


Thanks for the link to the fake pen ID. I am fairly certain that mine are the real deal.

 

[badgerstate]

Hero is a big company http://en.hero.com.cn/# and if memory serves me, it includes what was once a Parker Pen factory before it was nationalized. They are great to take apart, fiddle with, tweek, and in general learn about FPs.

 

[gmgaj]

LOL! Very nice change to the original thread title. No condolences needed. I'm happy with them, especially since I haven't ever tried anything better than my metro and 21. I suppose ignorance really IS bliss...