Crocodile 215 Caiman Review

[eliweisz]

My first review has to be handwritten, hasn't it?

 

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This is the most unlikely pen in my collection. More than a year ago, at the very start of my pen craze, a friend gave it to me and said: "I'm sure it's no more than a novelty piece, but try it - maybe the funny thing can write".

Well, it can! The fine hooded nib is smooth as glass. Inked with Parker Quink Black, this little croco wasn't funny at all. A serious writer. However, after the second filling the Caiman started to misbehave. There were problems with ink flow, and I had to "boost" it with the piston.

 

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Besides, the pen proved itself unsuitable for long writing sessions. The section is too thin (for my hand at least). Of course, there's an ornamental band you can grip at, but after a page or two you begin to hate it all: the section, the crocodile ornament, your fingers.

The shape of the pen, its dimensions - all seem fit for posting. Save the cap itself. It refuses to sit on the barrel, so you have to use the Caiman unposted, no matter you like it or not.

Back to the appearance. The hooded nib is "guarded" by two little jewels. Putting some imagination into gear, we can suppose that together they represent the caiman's head (eyes, snout, open mouth with a nib protruding from it). OK, so we've got a zoomorph pen here!

The barrel and the cap are metal, laquer-coated. The coating is rather thin and prone to scratches. The clip is stiff, and it's very hard to slip the slip-on cap off.

VERDICT: hardly usable. Smooth nib doesn't justify an ugly design and uncomfortable body. For laughs I received it, for laughs I keep it.

 

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What a shame! I wrote "Cayman" (like Cayman Islands), and the little pet is called "caiman", yes, with an "i". Shame on me!

A bit of trivia:

• Caimans live in Central and South America, rather far from the river Nile, so the choice of ink (in French, Eau de Nil means "Nile Water") is not SO obvious
• Do you know that Crocodile's flagship pen, a Duofold wannabe, is marketed as "Fierce Alligator", no less?

 

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Specs:

Length - Capped 5.375" - Uncapped 4.75" - Posted 5.875"
Diameter - Grip .34" - Barrel .48"
Weight - 22 g.

(source: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/235187-chinese-pen-reviews-c215-y016-j163-j3000-specifications/)

 

Another review, more positive:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/234955-chinese-pen-reviews-crocodile-215/

And one more, very positive:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/287824-crocodile-215/

[lovemy51]

nice drawing and penmanship!!

 

a bit of trivia... caiman is a carib indian word for a member of the croc's family found in Cuba and other caribbean islands. funny the encyclopedias fail to mention that and only mention central and south america as a place of their habitat.

[eliweisz]

nice drawing and penmanship!!

 

a bit of trivia... caiman is a carib indian word for a member of the croc's family found in Cuba and other caribbean islands. funny the encyclopedias fail to mention that and only mention central and south america as a place of their habitat.

 

Thank you!

[bmillicent]

I am sorry for you that the writing utility proved to be non-existent Nonetheless, the "look" makes it a keeper - it is attractive, imo.

 

It is only when one has too many "pretties" and cannot readily locate a usable instrument in time of need that there is a problem . . .

[eliweisz]

I am sorry for you that the writing utility proved to be non-existent Nonetheless, the "look" makes it a keeper - it is attractive, imo.

 

It is only when one has too many "pretties" and cannot readily locate a usable instrument in time of need that there is a problem . . .

Actually, my best pens are both lookers AND writers. That's what make them keepers. Unfortunately, the Caiman isn't one of them, but another Chinese pen, the mighty Kaigelu 316, certainly is.