The Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick Is Now Being Manufactured as the Factis BM2 Eraser

We Have Cause to Celebrate!

The Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick Is Now Being Manufactured as the Factis BM2 Eraser. Thank goodness, we can all breathe a sigh of relief that our favorite drawing supply will still be available.

A couple of years ago, drawing artists worldwide were lamenting that the Papermate Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick was discontinued. Whatever would we do without it? Thankfully, I had hoarded about a dozen of them in years prior, so I figured they would last me for some time to come. I discouraged students from buying the Tuff Stuff at black market prices on Amazon for $25. A few years ago they would have just been $2.99! I would just have to find another tool that was as good as a replacement.

I went about searching for a replacement and was disappointed by the two Faber-Castell erasers I tried that were wrapped in a wooden pencil case and could be sharpened. One was very dry and crumbly so it didn’t erase very well. The other was better, but when sharpened it got long and bendy, so it didn’t have enough strength to erase anything. When I was finally introduced to the Tombow Mono Zero 2.3mm Round Eraser, I fell in love! It is even teenier than the Tuff Stuff eraser, so it saves me time and woes when erasing intense detail.

Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick as compared to the Tombow Mono Zero 2.3mm Round Eraser

But Does it Hold Up?

As I started using the Mono Zero in the studio, I noticed that many of my students applied too much pressure on it. The tiny little eraser couldn’t stand up to an 8-year-old’s arm strength! Often an entire millimeter would break off, and the eraser itself isn’t very long. Because the eraser length is half that of the Tuff Stuff, it can be an expensive habit to use it on longer lines. Lastly, it is also surrounded by a metal holder, so when the eraser tip gets low, the metal cuff can easily scratch or dent the paper. Mono Zero is still a great addition to the drawing supply tool kit, but it isn’t really an equivalent replacement for the Tuff Stuff.

Over the last few months, my students have been able to find the Tuff Stuff again, although it is being manufactured by a different company. Now instead of being called the Papermate Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick, it is called the Factis BM2. It is made by General’s Pencil Co. in Spain, even though I believe General’s is an American company. You can get the same quality eraser stick, with the plastic cuff that dents the paperless readily, and the refill packs of erasers for about $5 at DickBlick.com.

Factis BM2 Eraser Stick

I hope you enjoy your new version of the tried and true eraser. Happy Drawing, and erasing!

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