The Best and Worst Eraser Test Against Five Different Mediums
The Best and Worst Eraser Test Against Five Different Mediums
Before we get into this, I have to warn you that this is probably going to be the most boring review you have ever read and if you want to give up an hour of your life, watching the YouTube video were I demonstrate the erasers will really bore you.
Warning aside, because I don’t want anyone trying to claim an hour of their life back should you watch the YouTube video, I wanted to put the test out there and that way it can be used if needed. When I first started in art, I would always see all these different types of erasers and wondered why there were so many? what did each type work best on? should I use a particular eraser on colored pencils? should I use a particular eraser with Pastel? This is why I put the test out there and like I say, even if one person uses the results to help them, then it has been worth the hours of work it has taken to compile.
I would also like to mention that I am well aware of the the fact there are hundreds if not thousands of artist eraser types on the market across the world, I am obviously unable to test them but I would love to know in the comments section if there is an eraser that you use, an eraser you can’t be without. I’ve not included battery erasers in this test simply because battery erasers are more to do with the power in the motor and I will do a separate much shorter test for battery erasers.
This written review will be a little bit different from my usual written posts, there is not much to say about an individual eraser, so I am going to list the erasers I used and what the manufacture says about them, what they should be used for and how they performed in my test. At the end of this test I have provided the before and after results each eraser created, to crop each test result and place it by the side of the eraser used, would distort the image too much.
Mediums Used For The Eraser Test
I wanted to test the erasers on as many of the dry mediums that require an eraser and I did’t want to make the test really easy.
The first medium I used was graphite, obviously the most predictable medium for erasers, but for the purpose of this test I added a Caran d’Ache 2B Grafwood pencil. I chose 2B rather than the more popular HB, because this is a test for artists and not classroom or office setting. Most artists sketching will use the softer 2B graphite grade for easy removal when needed. As with all the mediums in this test I applied a single light layer and then a heavier layer, the heavy layer was applied using medium to heavy pressure.
The second medium used was colored pencil, however I decided to use Prismacolor as this is the softest core colored pencil most of us use and I used a red Prismacolor Premier Pencil. Red is a notoriously difficult pigment to remove once applied due to its staining properties.
The third medium I applied was pastel pencil and for this I used the drier more chalkier Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencil. For this test I used blue simply to contrast against the red colored pencil and to help break up the monotonous greys tones otherwise used.
The fourth medium I used was charcoal and for this I used a pencil from my Conté Sketching set, to be precise the Conté à Paris Pierre Noire B. If you would like to know more about this pencil or the set in general you can check out my review of the set.
Finally I used a pencil from the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black, again if you would like to know more about this pencil set you can check out my review. However the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black is a carbon based pencil and is quite similar to the Faber Castell Pitt Graphite Matt.
Erasers
Below each eraser I have placed the text that the company belonging to the eraser has left on their website.
Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser
Premium quality for first-class erasing performance, Blue part of eraser for India ink on transparent paper (vellum) and matt drafting film, Minimal crumbling, Protective PP-film with practical tear-and-open strip, Sliding sleeve for convenient handling, Phthalate and latex free, Best erasing performance with little wear, No discolouration on paper
This is the information from Staedtler describing this eraser, you have to be the judge as to whether or not this eraser lived up to the claims by viewing the results left below and watching the YouTube video I created.
Faber Castell Artist Dust Free Eraser
Faber-Castell Dust-Free eraser series offer the best performance in clean erasing. It also does not contain harmful plasticiser - Phthalate. The unique "Dust-Free" formula makes the eraser soft and guarantees excellent clean and smear-free erasing. The eraser residue and dust easily roll together for easier clean up. The comfort edge (chamfered corners) are thoughtfully crafted for precise erasing and prevent breakage. Also, the erasers are latex-free and dermatologically tested & approved.
Caran d’Ache Artist Eraser
Caran d'Ache Design eraser for graphite and coloured pencil. Phthalates-free. Paper cover over rectangular eraser 60 x 23 x 12mm.
Winsor & Newton Griffin Eraser
Finest quality soft, non-smear eraser.
Caran d’Ache Technik Eraser
Caran d'Ache Technik eraser for pencil. This clear plastic eraser is smooth and will remove pencil marks successfully. Not recommended for erasing inks. Phthalates-free.
Milan Eraser
Special eraser for Fine Arts, with a strong adsorption capacity for charcoal and graphite. Erases easily, with no need to press hard on the paper, forming smooth eraser dust. Can also be used to erase or smudge marks made in charcoal drawings. Made from synthetic rubber. Individually wrapped. Size of eraser: 5.5 x 2.3 x 1.3 cm.
Caran d’Ache Design Eraser
Eraser for graphite leads and pencils and coloured pencils. Superior quality eraser, ideal for technical or artistic use. For graphite and colour pencils. Phthalate free.
Mapped Softy
They have a soft design to prevent smudging and for smooth rubbing out. Soft design, PVC free, Cardboard sleeve, Perfect pencil case essential.
Faber Castell PVC Free Eraser
The quality of an eraser and using the correct eraser are crucial for optimum results. Basically, two different materials are used to make erasers: rubber and plastic. All rubber erasers and the majority of the plastic erasers made by Faber-Castell are PVC-free. Faber-Castell PVC-Free erasers do not contain harmful phthalate plasticizer. Phthalates have been reported to cause several undesirable effects when exposed to the human body. The balanced plastic mixture guarantees soft and smear-free erasing.
Tombow Mono Smart Eraser
This 5.5 mm thick eraser made of a special composition to achieve both thinness and strength is ideal for erasing a single line in a notebook. It does not bend and can erase from small details to large areas. A new standard item of the trusted MONO series.
Caran d’Ache Triangle Eraser
This Caran d'Ache Triangular Eraser is perfect for both technical and artistic use. It is non-abrasive and erases pencil and graphite lead marks easily.
Faber Castell Wedge Eraser
After use, the high-quality Sleeve and Sleeve Mini erasers and sharpeners disappear into a red, blue, or black cover, which not only protects against fouling, but also allows for precise control of the erasing stroke when open or as a useful container for sharpening dust. The Sleeve has already received an award for its ergonomics and user-friendliness: the 2007 ISPA Award in the “Back to School” category. Further proof that even such simple things like erasers and sharpeners can still be improved – true to the Faber-Castell motto: Making ordinary things extraordinarily well.
Faber Castell Putty Eraser
Kneadable Art Erasers are the perfect choice for correcting charcoal, pencil and pastel work. They are easily kneadable and absorbent and leave no residue behind.
Koh-I-Noor Pencil Eraser
Pencil - shaped gum eraser, in wooden envelope made from 100% FSC certified wood, a new product which is used to gently wipe graphite and pastel lines. It is particularly popular among crossworders and SUDOKU enthusiasts.
Derwent Pencil Eraser
Pencil eraser suitable for graphite. Comfortable pencil style grip. Soft brush to effortlessly sweep away dust. Ideal for erasing in small areas and highlighting strokes in artwork.
Pasler Pencil Eraser
The eraser is designed as pencil. it feels like pencil which easy to use and carry. you can draw the highlight effect,erasers writing mistakes, and modify details, etc. ideal for your drawing and writing.
Tombow Mono Zero Round Eraser
The innovative eraser MONO zero eraser is ideal for precise erasing, it has a round tip measuring 2.3 mm in diameter. It is an essential utensil for all professional or recreational use that requires pinpoint erasing. The slim casing is available in different colours, including a striking neon assortment (round tip only). The MONO zero has a push mechanism with metal tip. Refillable and latex free.
Final Result Of All Erasers
Eraser Pricing
For this particular post I am not going to lay out all the individual prices as I have done with previous post, I think I have punished you enough and melted your brain cells well beyond what is reasonably accepted among medical professionals.
Each eraser ranges from £1 to £5 and the equivalent in US dollars, Euro’s etc, in general, erasers are not too costly, but for artists of dry mediums they are essential and selecting the right eraser for your medium will make life that little bit easier for you.
If you select the title of each eraser, a link will take you to that particular eraser on Amazon should you wish to purchase it. Throughout the post I have also added banners which will allow you to purchase which ever eraser you require.
Eraser Test Conclusion
As I have said, I do apologise for duping you all into reading or watching this review, actually, less of a review and more of a demonstration, I did consider jazzing up the entire experience but not even a smart arse Irishman can make an eraser test exciting.
Nevertheless, it might be able to help you purchase the correct eraser for the medium you work with, selecting the right eraser can and in most cases, will make your art experience just that little bit easy, certainly easier than using the wrong eraser.
To see each eraser in action against all five mediums, graphite, colored pencil, pastel pencil, charcoal and carbon, you can follow the link to the YouTube video I have uploaded; and you have been warned, life minutes cannot be refunded.
