Review: Hero 565 | A Large Pen Living Large

[@davidanderson3425]

Happy New Year, James! Thank you for your review of the 565. I recently purchased this pen. In the past I haven't had very much luck with Hero pens so I didn't have high expectations about this one. However, I noticed it had received one or two favourable reviews so thought I'd give it a shot. I am delighted with the pen! The aerometric converter actually works quite well. I prefer the piston-type converter but in the 565 the pressure bar seems to work alright. I like the girth of the grip section, and it does feel like a bigger pen. Lastly, I have been very happy with the writing experience. Much to my surprise I have found a Hero pen that impressed me. Oh, and yes, the price is amazing!

[@Seele2015au]

James, the reason for the 565 being different from other Hero pens is that it was not a Hero pen at all, but originally a Golden Star 565. When GSPC (Golden Star Pen Co) closed down, Hero acquired some designs and toolings including that of the 565, which of course became a Hero model.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks, I appreciate the additional info.

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

My favorite pen. Unscrew the barrel, the edge of top section is also extreme sharp, sand paper hand job is needed too. My last purchase was in 2016, I compare the 2023 so called update version, it actually is a miserable downgrade. My 2016 version is superior in:1. Smooth edge of arrow down the tip. 2. When screwed, no level difference between barrel and section.

[@kapirk2244]

Nice review, and Happy New Year! I do like the Parker 51 style of pens, and the Parker 51 itself. This looks like a pen to try.

[@kh23797]

I'd join with you in your recommendation, James. I like mine a lot and find it a reliable daily workhorse. Inexpensive, comfy in my (masculine) hand and it gives a steady flow of ink-yet it's pretty light to hold, too, so I don't tire of gripping it even after an hour of letter writing. Dare I say that It even seems to improve my cursive hand? Maybe that's because it's easier to control a slightly thicker barrel like the 565's.

[@danielste-marie779]

James, Happy New Year. I recently purchased 2 of these pens, a black one and a burgundy one. Awesome pens for little money.

[@Shaiy007]

Thanks for the awesome review. 😎👍 I just ordered one from Ebay. I find it amazing just how affordable these Chinese pens are, and some are really nice! Have a Happy New Year! 🙂🎉

[@JG3Reviews]

Enjoy the pen! I've been very surprised how good some of these are.

[@ranrizkyandika]

Happy New year to you too James. Nice review and wondering if the converter can be changed into other types of converter?

[@JG3Reviews]

I'm not sure, I've not yet attempted it myself, and haven't found much online. I think the bladder may be glued on. I have seen where some successfully converted the pen to an eyedropper using an o-ring and silicone grease. That would then make for a very large ink reservoir.

[@cferracini]

I bought the Hero 448 to test out so... let's wait until the end of May to see if I will like it lol Shipping is definitely a problem. Anyway, I got the extra fine just to be safe since I like my writing very small. I would hate to get a fine behaving like a medium. Thank you for your review!

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

“beg you to write big” EXACTLY! 🎉

[@UrbanHafner]

I need to dig mine out and try it again. I remember it drying out pretty quickly, which is why I retired it, I believe.

[@frankbruno7122]

Well done! Nice pen indeed! I think I have a Hero 1000.. nice and weighty and solid.. similar design but a bit more streamlined.. thanks for your work! Frank from Boulder, Colorado

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks. The 1000 looks like a nice pen.

[@bikkies]

I just ordered a couple of these to try out. As a brand, Hero hasn't really impressed me too highly, being largely squeeze filler driven and with those fillers being temperamental (for me at least). They're also sharp on some occasions. They don't compare well against the squeeze fillers in, say, the Parker 45 but obviously they are made down to a low price. All that being said, I am trying to give Hero another chance; the 616 Plus can take a standard international converter which makes it more versatile. The 565 also peaked my interest because of your video (thank you) so I'll give them a shot. I don't think they'll displace my Wing Sungs, Jinhaos, Twsbis and PenBBSes, but time will tell!

[@JG3Reviews]

Mine is a very smooth writer, and well made. I think my favorite thing about this pen is that it's basically a vintage pen in style and function, but new.

[@bikkies]

@@JG3Reviews I know what you mean about the vintage style. That's where I cannot fault the Jinhao 51A. I have loads of these on both hooded and visible nib configurations. The hooded ones are very Parker-esque yet are new & come with a decent international converter. They are solid, velvet smooth and highly reliable, yet new. I recommend them at every opportunity. I have also amassed a silly - I mean essential - number of second hand Parkers with my favourite being Parker 45. For a very reasonable outlay these make excellent and consistent writers, satisfying the vintage craving...

[@bikkies]

@@JG3Reviews my two 565s arrived yesterday. I was really surprised. Still has the naff squeeze filler that I dislike but it feels a little bit more solid and adds weight to the pen. On weight alone, that would be an improvement on the 616. Aside from the filling system, it writes really smoothly for me. Consistent with left or right hand use, no skipping or dryness so far. The plastic feels more solid, the extra section girth definitely helps. I appreciate the wider line it lays down compared to the 616, it's nice and juicy and even more surprising, I can actually get a little line variation and flex from it. Definitely a strong addition to my collection and I have you to thank for bringing this to my attention!

[@vigneshwaranbanknotes7405]

looks like one of the older Sheaffer Imperial pens

[@fountainpencollection]

Yes it's a nice pen writes well with no problems and yes it's a very good M nib signature fountain pen !

[@shashijain5084]

Wish I could get a B width Chinese ( Hero / Wingsung) FP .

[@paulmchugh1430]

I have received my copy of this pen. I do not have an aerometric converter. Mine had a push pull converter. Unfortunately it has one of those spring agitator within the converter. I cannot pull it out. I actually whish I had the one with the same converter as you.

[@JG3Reviews]

That must be the recently updated version. I haven’t ordered one, but had seen they were available.

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@JG3Reviews if you want, I'll send you mine.

[@TrollMeister_]

I wonder where the number 565 came from. Could it be from one of the most famous compositions in all of classical music - the Toccata & Fugue in D Minor BWV 565 by Johann Sebastian Bach ?

[@JG3Reviews]

I don't know but it would be a great reason.

[@tedariesdaguro6517]

It's a Sheaffer Legacy clone until you open it. Nice design twist :)

[@gio87vr]

That for me is a medium line, like a Parker medium, not a Pilot medium.

[@JG3Reviews]

Agreed!

[@shashijain5084]

Don't like the filler system of Hero & Wingsung !!!! Plus no B nibs !!!!