A Review Of The Crocodile #232 With Lots Of Pictures

[arandur]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/Croc1_zpsdd726065.jpg

 

First Impressions (10)

Wow, what an awesome-looking pen. When I had seen this pen online, I had been impressed. Now, though, I am even more so! If it were not for “Crocodile” printed around the cap and on the clip (and the crocodiles imprinted in the leather), this pen could certainly pass for a Montblanc Starwalker version at first glance.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/Croc2_zps0c7cf481.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/Croc4_zpsb35ed308.jpg

 

Appearance (10)

While I am sure that the gem in the glass dome on the cap of this pen is made of cubic zirconia, it, nonetheless, gives this pen an air of luxury. Likewise, the leather-wrapped barrel presents a fancy air with a touch of ruggedness. This Crocodile bears a striking resemblance to the Baoer Skywalker (though, of course, they both pay tribute to the Montblanc Starwalker). The crocodiles that are imprinted in the leather are nearly unnoticeable, until one looks at them very close. In fact, it is not one single shape in the pattern, but a number of different crocodiles in repetition.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/Croc3_zps3d3b7ecc.jpg

 

Design/Size/Weight (7)

I found that the gem in the glass dome was a bit off-center, which I expected in a pen of this price point. The barrel has moderate weight to it, which is barely increased by the cap, as the black body of the cap appears to be made of a plastic, just like the end of the barrel (a feature that I noted to be present in the end of the Baoer Skywalker barrels, as well). On the end of the barrel, the plastic is fine and seems solid, but, on the cap, the plastic feels cheap. Additionally, the metal clip feels thin and cheap, as though it might break with too much stretching. The cap can be posted upon the threads at the end of the barrel. The use of two metals of different shades with the section and accent bands works quite nicely with the leather and the black plastic. The textured grip is comfortable to hold but can feel a bit rough from some angles.

 

Nib (6)

When I first filled this pen, it skipped a LOT. Downstrokes were solid, but side-to-side movement provided a barely visible line...when there was a line at all. After some adjustment of both the nib and the feed, it writes much better and much more consistently. The two-tone nib looks and feels a bit cheap, though it is moderately smooth.

 

Filling System (6)

Standard international cartridges (short and long), as well as a standard converter, may be used in this pen. The included converter is, sadly, of a flimsy construction.

 

Cost and Value (7)

At 15 USD, this pen carries a price tag that is about the upper range of what I would pay for a pen like this. However, for the look, it was certainly worth it. For the functionality, there are far better options at this price.

 

Conclusion (8)

If you are looking for pens in the style of the Montblanc Starwalker, I recommend looking at the Baoer Skywalker, rather than this pen, unless this Crocodile’s appearance really strikes you. It is a rather nice-looking pen. The adjustment that was necessary could be very off-putting to anyone, who did not have experience with (or desire for) adjusting fountain pen nibs.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/Croc6_zps17008e04.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/Croc7_zpsde476701.jpg

The Crocodile #232 (left) and a Baoer Skywalker (right)

 

This review was unsolicited and uncompensated. Feel free to post comments or questions! Yes, I definitely need a macro lens...

[Montblanc owner and lover]

well look too much as a starwalker for me...

[gmcalabr]

when I saw the two different brands of Starwalker look-a-like, I assumed that they were probably made in the same factory and re-badged. Could you confirm if the parts interchange? Do the caps, sections, nibs, etc. fit one another?

 

Greg

[arandur]

well look too much as a starwalker for me...

It does look a lot like a Starwalker. The MB Starwalker is my grail pen, and hopefully someday I will have the money for one. For now, I have to satisfy my desires with cheaper "tributes."

 

 

when I saw the two different brands of Starwalker look-a-like, I assumed that they were probably made in the same factory and re-badged. Could you confirm if the parts interchange? Do the caps, sections, nibs, etc. fit one another?

 

Greg

I will confirm this as soon as I get home, tomorrow, and I will update this post!

[arandur]

I apologize for the delay in posting these pictures! Here they are, at last: the comparisons.

 

First test: Cap Swapping

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/PhotoFeb11233905_zps7124e006.jpg

Result: Success, though they were not as firmly capped as otherwise, it would work.

 

Second test: Cap Posting Swap

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/PhotoFeb11233946_zpsadad2922.jpg

Result: Partial success, the Crocodile cap posted successfully on the back of the Baoer, but not vice versa. The threads in the Baoer cap do not work with the Crocodile posting-threads.

 

Third test: Section Swapping

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/PhotoFeb11234049_zpsd13825e1.jpg

Result: Failure. The threads, despite both being small, did _not_ match, and the sections could not be swapped. However, the nibs appear to be the same size.

 

Feel free to ask any other questions that you may have, and I will answer them, as I can.

[bdk]

Ouch.

They say that it is better to steal a good idea then to invent something bad - a paraphrase of a Dutch proverb - however, I disagree in this case.

That enormous logo on the clip is just ordinair!

[arandur]

I agree that the logo on the Crocodile clip is not the most attractive feature. I really liked the faux diamond (MB 100 Year Tribute?), and the leather-wrapped barrel was a nice touch that I have not seen on many pens (though the crocodile designs on the leather can be amusing, if inspected closely).

The Baoer...has a nice simplistic beauty to it, even for a Chinese look-alike. Plus, I find that mine writes quite well.

Would I give them both up in favor of a true Starwalker, if I had the chance? Absolutely.

[gmcalabr]

I apologize for the delay in posting these pictures! Here they are, at last: the comparisons.

 

First test: Cap Swapping

Result: Success, though they were not as firmly capped as otherwise, it would work.

 

Second test: Cap Posting Swap

Result: Partial success, the Crocodile cap posted successfully on the back of the Baoer, but not vice versa. The threads in the Baoer cap do not work with the Crocodile posting-threads.

 

Third test: Section Swapping

Result: Failure. The threads, despite both being small, did _not_ match, and the sections could not be swapped. However, the nibs appear to be the same size.

 

Feel free to ask any other questions that you may have, and I will answer them, as I can.

 

Thanks. I did read this when it was posted but was trying to figure out which version of fake Starwalker I was going to purchase. I ended up with the Crocodile rollerball so that I could use MB fineliner refills (not sure why I'm partial to those). I'll eventually get a Baoer fountain.

 

I guess I asked because it seemed like the Baoer had a lighter (resin) barrel but an ugly nib, but I didn't like the look of the Croc's section. At the price these things go for, it would be worth swapping, but it looks like that's out of the question. Thanks for saving me the frustration and money!

 

Greg

[arandur]

Thanks. I did read this when it was posted but was trying to figure out which version of fake Starwalker I was going to purchase. I ended up with the Crocodile rollerball so that I could use MB fineliner refills (not sure why I'm partial to those). I'll eventually get a Baoer fountain.

 

I guess I asked because it seemed like the Baoer had a lighter (resin) barrel but an ugly nib, but I didn't like the look of the Croc's section. At the price these things go for, it would be worth swapping, but it looks like that's out of the question. Thanks for saving me the frustration and money!

 

Greg

 

No problem, Greg! From where did you buy your Croc rollerball?

[gmcalabr]

No problem, Greg! From where did you buy your Croc rollerball?

 

eBay: share.enjoy

 

It's the cheapest I could find it, and iSellPens didn't have the non-leather version on his website. Although I prefer not to send business directly to China, there's an odd nice bit about it: I just bought a Nemosine demonstrator states-side (online) and have been waiting giddy like a child for the thing to arrive. It's driving me nuts. It's actually kinda nice to order a pen that will take a while and has a big window of expected arrival. You kinda forget about it, and when it arrives, it's like a little Christmas again.

 

 

Side note: does anyone find it ironic that Crocodile stamps a big R restricted logo on the top of the cap of a pen design they stole 90% of from Montblanc? MB doesn't.

 

Another side note: I was disappointed to see the MB Starwalker midnight metal in person. Pictures on the web mostly make it look like a lightsaber handle, but in person, the grooves are way too fine and not blackened inside enough. Wouldn't it be cool if Croc or Baoer made a version more like the MB's pictures? How do we petition them to do this?

 

What I wanted the pen to look like

 

What it actually looks like

 

Greg

[arandur]

eBay: share.enjoy

 

It's the cheapest I could find it, and iSellPens didn't have the non-leather version on his website. Although I prefer not to send business directly to China, there's an odd nice bit about it: I just bought a Nemosine demonstrator states-side (online) and have been waiting giddy like a child for the thing to arrive. It's driving me nuts. It's actually kinda nice to order a pen that will take a while and has a big window of expected arrival. You kinda forget about it, and when it arrives, it's like a little Christmas again.

 

 

Side note: does anyone find it ironic that Crocodile stamps a big R restricted logo on the top of the cap of a pen design they stole 90% of from Montblanc? MB doesn't.

 

Another side note: I was disappointed to see the MB Starwalker midnight metal in person. Pictures on the web mostly make it look like a lightsaber handle, but in person, the grooves are way too fine and not blackened inside enough. Wouldn't it be cool if Croc or Baoer made a version more like the MB's pictures? How do we petition them to do this?

 

What I wanted the pen to look like

 

What it actually looks like

 

Greg

 

iSellPens has it back in stock.

The irony was not lost on me. I need to get one like you found. Even if they are cheap, I still like these tributes. Now, if only I could find a "tribute" to my favorite MB pen, the Skeleton 333: Picture, here.

That's very interesting about the MB Starwalker Midnight Metal. The same could probably be said about the Starwalker Black Rubber and Platinum, on which the Baoer Skywalker is based.

 

After not very much time of ownership, it seems that my Crocodile 232 will be relegated to sitting on a display stand, looking pretty, rather than gracing my pen case. The writing seems to be unreliable and unmanageable. On the other hand, my Baoer Skywalker fountain pen has been inked and writing strong since the day I got it, nearly eight months ago. It even writes smoother than some pens I own, which were more expensive. No one has yet asked me, if it is a MB, though.

[gmcalabr]

Per the original review, I got a Crocodile 232 RB and will eventually order a Baoer 79 fountain. I finally received my shiny black lacquer 232 rollerball that I had ordered earlier today. I am impressed with the quality of most of the pen, but there are three issues. None are too big a deal, but...

 

1. As you can see on any picture, the tip of the section is plain chrome, and the grip portion is slightly darker and warmer. For the price, no biggie.

2. The screw threads to connect the barrel and section are quality, as are the ones that screw the refil in. The screw threads that hold the cap on either end of the pen are not. this is tough to explain, but the threads meet up in two ways. As in, the cap will screw on starting facing one way or 180 degrees from that. One way, the threads get bound up early. The 2nd way screws on nicely and smoothly. Annoying, but it's not an MB in quality or pricing.

3. I bought this pen primarily to use MB fineliners or RB refills, but they don't fit. The croc refills have a slightly smaller diameter point (barely). This can be rectified by a 7/64" drill bit and light sanding on the tip. The metal tip appears to be solid metal, so I hope there's no chrome to chip off in time.

 

So yeah, I still recommend the pen. Without drilling the tip, the croc refills put down a nice wet fine line and are smooth. Not sure I like the lack of local availability of croc refills. The pen itself feels really nice. Well weightedm quality other than above issues.

 

Greg

[usk15]

@ Greg

did u try pilot g2 refill in your Croc's RB?

[gmcalabr]

@ Greg

did u try pilot g2 refill in your Croc's RB?

 

No, I'm told they fit MB's, but I really like MB Fineliners because I have a very shallow writing angle. If I can get my hands on one I'll try it to see how large the point is. Maybe they'll fit without modification.

 

Greg