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yes , please let us know what you think after you have carved with / on one.

OK, I have now carved a stamp from one of these erasers and am ready to report. For clarity, this is the white 1-1/2' x 3" x 1/2" eraser that comes in a pack of three for $1 at Dollar Tree, not the pink or red "Big Mistakes" erasers available at the same store.

These white erasers cut very smoothly and easily. In fact, they might be the easiest-cutting rubber I've used, just as easy to cut as MasterCarve and possibly even easier. The blade just slips right through the rubber with almost no resistance at all.

The rubber does have a fine granularity to it. While other erasers sometimes feel as though they are made of sand and the blade seems to bounce around these grains when cutting, these erasers feel like they're made of very fine white powder. It's no problem because the grains feel so small. You can cut very fine details with no problem at all, the grains are too small to be an issue.

I would also say that these erasers feel as though the surface is different than the interior rubber. The surface of the rubber seems smoother and tougher than the rubber underneath. After slitting around an area, when pulling the chunk out it seemed as though the rubber underneath was easier to tear than the surface rubber.

This might have something to do with the fact that I performed an acetone scrub on the surface prior to carving; I do this with all rubber I carve, and in this case I felt it especially necessary because the surface didn't seem perfectly flat. It was perhaps flat enough, but I have the acetone and the cotton cloth, so I did the scrub.

I also gave the rubber a light application of orange ink before applying the image. And I tested to see if a pencil will write on the rubber; it does, quite well.

So far, I would rate these erasers as very good. For us razor knife carvers, the orange PZ Kut is still much better due to being able to see the slits made with the blade. For gouge carvers, this stuff might be as good as it gets, though, as good as MasterCarve or white PZ Kut except for the size limitation.

There are still two issues to determine. The first is resistance to physical damage. When cutting this first stamp, I deliberately cut a positive narrow line (a narrow ridge on the rubber) away from the image itself so I could test it a bit for toughness. I rubbed on it a bit with my finger and it still stamped just fine. I don't think MasterCarve would have fared as well, since that stuff seems to pill when rubbed like this.

Still, I don't think there's any doubt that PZ Kut is significantly tougher than this stuff, especially the orange which is perhaps the toughest stuff available. You can tell when ripping chunks of rubber loose while carving. So if you're after the most resistance to physical damage, that's the way to go. But you can also think about how much resistance to physical damage is sufficient, enough that it won't see any damage in regular letterboxing use. Based on my quickie tests I think these erasers will have sufficient resistance to damage, especially if narrow edges or points (narrow positive lines and dots) aren't involved.

The other question is how well it holds up to age and weather. I dunno how to tell without tossing this stamp in a box and checking on it in a couple of years! Offhand it doesn't look like the kind of stuff that would dry out and start cracking. If someone else can think of some tests, go for it.

I probably will buy some more. I might not get carried away, though, because I still like orange PZ Kut a lot more and it's not significantly more expensive. It's also a lot thinner; I have no need of the 1/2" thickness of these erasers. I think gouge carvers will love these erasers, though, especially if they commonly carve stamps 3" x 1-1/2" or smaller. And those who don't back their stamps might like the thickness.

For gouge carvers, this stuff might be as good as it gets


Mr Kirbert your expertise as an erudite and profligate wordsmith has garnered my attention and unending admiration. Thanks for the review. heyokah man

Thanks Kirbert for letting us know what you think. I will have to get mine out now and carve something.

Cannonball

Is it safe to assume that you went to the DT one near COSTCO in Enfield? I drive by the one in Bloomfield on a daily basis, but I live closer to the Enfield one, which I like a lot better, so I'd rather go there if possible.

It doesn't matter which one you go to. Mine had the erasers, and I'm 1,000 miles away from y'all. It's a corporate thing.

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Is it safe to assume that you went to the DT one near COSTCO in Enfield?

Yep, that's the one

CC

I went to my $ tree tonight and looked and looked, No erasers. I am doing the GS badge on letterboxing for 2 troops and wanted to try those lovely cheap future stamps and NOTHING in my store. I was very disappointed that the rest of the country seems to have them. You guys must have bought out the warehouse before they shipped to my store ;) boo hoo

Larva lady/ZZ

We have some of the large erasers here in Annapolis. I belive they are like 3" by 1 1/2". Seems they had quite a few, how soon do you need them?

CB

You guys must have bought out the warehouse before they shipped to my store ;) boo hoo


I have a spare pack. Would you like me to send them to you?

-HG