I highly recommend you check out Flounder's blog, here, especially his post on the third version of the vacumatic 616, complete with great pictures! He has mentioned on the Fountain Pen Network that he has another, special, pen modification project in progress, so be sure to watch his blog for future updates. If it is anything like his Hero 616 mod, it is certain to be impressive.
Additional links:
- An article from David Nishimura at VintagePens.com, detailing the Parker Vacumatic filling mechanism.
- Flounder's profile on the Fountain Pen Network (be sure to check his blog, first, for information on his pen modifications).
- The Pay It Foward 2012 thread (now closed) on the Fountain Pen Network with details about Flounder's "pay it forward" of the Hero 616, mark 3, vacumatic fountain pen. (NOTE: A recipient has already been chosen.)
I've got three "Jumbo" 616s, and they're the best Chinese pens I own (an accolade they achieve largely by actually writing, unlike my Jinhao X450, or Baoer 517s).
ReplyDeleteDespite the low bar set by their compatriots, they compare pretty well with other pens, in my experience. They hold a fair bit of ink, and write smoothly and reliably with a fine-ish line. I bought a set of three, one is now my daughter's, one stays at work, and one is in my desk at home.
I have had the same positive experience with most of my Hero pens (I am a bit of a Hero fanatic/collector). Your same experience with the Hero 616 were mirrored in my own 616, 329s, and 330s. Among these pens, there is also often an "old" version and a "new" version, and I have found that the old versions are more consistently quality pens. (Though sometimes this old/new distinction can change things drastically...the old version of the Hero 001 360 is a four-sided, 360 degree nib. The new version is completely different and just has a hooded nib (from what I have heard).
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