I recently discovered the Staedtler Mars Plastic, and had been so impressed by it, I wondered if it was a legit brand since the 4pk was being sold for $0.99 at a store here. A quick Google search led me here, confirming its greatness. It reminds me much of the Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser, which is why I bought it, although I wonder which is better. C: Definitely clearing the shelves when I go back.

A scan of my test is here: http://www.consistent.org/terran/2010/erasers.jpg

Note especially the smearing between the 6B and 4B column with the Mars. I also saw that in a second independent test.

The Faber-Castell #18-71-20 strictly dominated the Mars Plastic. They’re basically equivalent for hard graphite, but for soft graphite, the Mars erased less well and was smeary. They were comparable in number and size of particles produced. It is possible that the Mars will last longer, due to being harder.

The Art Gum eraser I tried performed very similarly to the Faber-Castell, but is more annoying to use because of all crumbs.

The Maped Epure was the worst of the lot I tried, but I like it anyway because of the convenient and useful shape (I have the triangular one and love it). Although it did not erase soft graphite well, neither was it smeary like the Mars.

The Factis 18 black was middle-of-the-road. I originally bought it because the smaller size made it fit in a box I had; it doesn’t seem to have any other advantages.

I tried on both smooth and rough papers, with no significant differences.

I’ve tried the black ovoid erasers made by papermate are great. Especially if you have to do fine detail erasing.

I also use mechanical pencils filled with blue ‘lead’, and I’ve found that staedler is best for erasing them.

However, for very soft lead drawings, it’s the Faber Castell that wins. The slightly harder Staedtler just pushes the lead around when it comes to soft pencil, especally if it’s layed down rather thick. The only problem is that the Faber doesn’t last as long as the Staedtler.

Think of the Faber Castel as somewhere between a Staedtler polymer, and a kneadable eraser, when it comes to softness. In fact, you actually can take the ‘crumbs’ left by the Faber Castell, and knead them together. However, don’t try that as a kneadable eraser. You can, but it’ll be already loaded with graphite. Plus, it will be too soft.

Faber Castell’s are also great for Charcoal drawings.

Pentel Foam erasers are fantastic. I really recommend trying them.

Sanford Erasers are ‘meh’.

Thanks for your comments. I can’t claim to have any definitive answers. Plywood is considered to be a third rate in many implementations, yet can make museum worthy furniture in the right hands. Eraser materials may be the same.