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Faber-Castell Art Eraser 127220: Kneaded Eraser Guide

By · Published · 6 min read

Compiled from 6 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The Faber-Castell Art Eraser 127220 is a grey kneadable (kneaded) eraser from the German maker Faber-Castell, sold in a small storage box. Faber-Castell says it corrects and lightens charcoal, pastel and pencil drawings, is very kneadable and absorbent, and leaves no crumbs. Amazon US copies show it ranked #1 in Drawing Erasers.

On this page11 sections
Grey Faber-Castell Art Eraser 127220 kneadable eraser in its open plastic box, drawn in proportion, beside a piece kneaded to a point and a charcoal sketch with a lightened highlight; inset: the point lifting charcoal
The Art Eraser in its storage box, drawn in proportion (Faber-Castell publishes no size).

Product facts

Product
Faber-Castell Art Eraser kneadable eraser, grey (127220)
Brand
Faber-Castell
Brand origin
Germany
Made in
Not stated*
Material
Kneadable eraser compound (Knetgummi), sold in a plastic storage box
Price range
$under $5 per item
Notes on these facts
  • Made by Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany. Country of manufacture not stated: Faber-Castell's German and English product pages for 127220 (read on October 21, 2026) don't state a country of manufacture, and we found no retailer spec sheet that does. ShopSavvy lists the UPC as 9556089009225; its 955 prefix is the Malaysian GS1 range, which shows where the code was registered, not where the eraser was made. Price: example listing.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.

Key takeaways

  • Faber-Castell's German site lists the 127220 for correcting and lightening charcoal and pastel work and for cleaning film and final drawings.
  • Faber-Castell says kneadable erasers leave no eraser crumbs at all, and sells this one with a storage box.
  • Copies of the Amazon US listing (ASIN B01EFPZHOO) show it at #1 in Drawing Erasers with 4.7 stars from 19,418 ratings.
  • A German retailer lists the boxed eraser at 50 × 35 × 9 mm (2.0 × 1.4 × 0.4 in); Faber-Castell publishes no size or weight.
  • Faber-Castell doesn't say where it is made; the barcode on US listings, 9556089009225, has a Malaysian GS1 prefix.

What is the Faber-Castell Art Eraser?

It’s a grey kneadable eraser, also called a kneaded eraser, that Faber-Castell sells in a small storage box under the number 127220. Faber-Castell’s German site calls it Art Eraser Knetgummi, literally “kneading rubber”.

It’s the best-known kneaded eraser in the US. Copies of the Amazon US listing (ASIN B01EFPZHOO) show it at #1 in Drawing Erasers with 4.7 stars from 19,418 ratings, and a four-pack sits close behind. It’s the colored-pencil pick in our best erasers roundup.

Faber-Castell Art Eraser 127220 specs

Spec Value
Maker Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany
Model 127220
Color Grey
Type Kneadable eraser (Knetgummi)
Comes with Storage box (Aufbewahrungsbox)
For Charcoal, pastel and pencil; cleaning film and final drawings (Faber-Castell)
Boxed size 50 × 35 × 9 mm (2.0 × 1.4 × 0.4 in), per a German retailer
Weight 31.1 g, per Amazon US copies
UPC 9556089009225 (ShopSavvy)
Price band $ (under $5)
Made in Not stated

Faber-Castell doesn’t publish a size or weight. The 50 × 35 × 9 mm figure is from an eBay.de shop’s listing and probably describes the box; Amazon copies give the package as 4.9 × 4.9 × 1.5 cm.

Faber-Castell Art Eraser 127220 box footprint, 50 × 35 mm as a German retailer lists it, drawn to scale beside a 65 × 23 mm Staedtler Mars plastic eraser; the grey eraser inside is drawn by eye
The Art Eraser's box beside a Mars plastic block, footprints at 1 mm = 4 px.

What is a kneaded eraser for?

Lifting and lightening soft media rather than rubbing it out. Faber-Castell says kneadable erasers are the perfect alternative for correcting or lightening charcoal and pencil drawings, and lists the Art Eraser for charcoal and pastel work and for cleaning film and final drawings.

Because you press and lift instead of rubbing, it doesn’t scuff the paper or smear a soft layer. That’s why artists use one to pull highlights out of a charcoal tone or to knock back a sketch before inking.

For hard erasing on writing paper, a plastic block such as the Staedtler Mars plastic is still the better tool.

How do you use a kneaded eraser?

Warm it in your hand, shape it, then dab or roll it over the area. These are general kneaded-eraser techniques, not Faber-Castell instructions:

  • Pull off a piece and knead it until it’s soft.
  • Pinch it to a point or an edge for small highlights; flatten it for broad areas.
  • Press and lift, rather than rub, to take up pigment.
  • Stretch and fold it to bury the dirty part inside and expose a clean surface.

Faber-Castell says the eraser is very absorbent and leaves no crumbs at all. When the whole lump turns dark and stops lifting, it’s time for a new one.

Can it erase colored pencil?

It can lighten a layer, but it won’t remove it. Faber-Castell markets the Art Eraser for charcoal, pencil and pastel; colored pencil cores are bound with wax or oil, so they hold onto the paper.

Dabbing can lift a little loose pigment from a light Polychromos layer, which is our suggestion, not a maker claim. The Well-Appointed Desk found foam erasers removed colored pencil best on smooth paper.

Is it sticky?

It can be, especially when warm. ShopSavvy’s summary of Amazon reviews says most buyers rate it highly for artwork, but some find it sticky or crumbly, and a few received damaged cases.

Kneaded erasers soften with body heat, so keep it in its box and out of hot cars. The box also stops it picking up graphite and dust from the rest of your pencil case.

How does it compare with a plastic eraser?

A kneaded eraser lightens; a plastic block removes.

Faber-Castell Art Eraser 127220 Staedtler Mars plastic 526 50
Type Kneadable, shapeable Vinyl (PVC) block
Best for Charcoal, pastel, soft graphite Graphite on paper and drafting film
Crumbs None, per Faber-Castell Rubbings
Price band $ $

Many artists keep one of each: the Art Eraser for tone and highlights, a block for clean edges.

Where is the Faber-Castell Art Eraser made?

Faber-Castell doesn’t say. Its German and English product pages for 127220 give no country of manufacture, and we found no retailer spec sheet that does.

The UPC on US listings, 9556089009225, starts with 955, the Malaysian GS1 range. That shows where the barcode was registered, not where the eraser was made. Faber-Castell itself is based in Stein, near Nuremberg in Germany.

Frequently asked questions

What is a kneaded eraser used for?

Lightening and lifting charcoal, pastel and graphite without rubbing. Faber-Castell sells the Art Eraser for correcting and lightening charcoal and pastel work and for cleaning final drawings.

Does the Faber-Castell Art Eraser leave crumbs?

No. Faber-Castell says its kneadable erasers leave no eraser residue at all, because the eraser absorbs the pigment instead of wearing away into crumbs.

How do you clean a kneaded eraser?

Stretch and fold it until the dark pigment disappears into the middle. When the whole eraser turns dark and stops lifting, replace it.

Can a kneaded eraser erase colored pencil?

Only partly. Faber-Castell markets the Art Eraser for charcoal, pencil and pastel; on wax- or oil-based colored pencil it can lighten a layer by dabbing but won't remove it.

How big is the Faber-Castell kneaded eraser?

Faber-Castell doesn't publish a size. A German retailer lists the boxed eraser at 50 × 35 × 9 mm, about 2.0 × 1.4 × 0.4 in, and Amazon US copies give a 31 g item weight.

Why is my kneaded eraser sticky?

Kneaded erasers soften with warmth, and some Amazon reviewers find the Art Eraser a little sticky. Keeping it in its box, away from heat, helps it stay firm and clean.

Where is the Faber-Castell Art Eraser made?

Faber-Castell doesn't say. Its barcode on US listings has a Malaysian GS1 prefix, but that shows where the code was registered, not where the eraser was made.

Sources (6)

  1. Faber-Castell (German): Art Eraser Knetgummi, grau, 127220 (for charcoal and pastel, cleaning film and final drawings, very kneadable and absorbent, no residue, with storage box)
  2. Faber-Castell: Art Eraser kneadable eraser, grey (127220)
  3. eBay.de, Prädikat Bürobedarf: Faber-Castell Knetgummi Art Eraser grau (B 50 × H 9 × L 35 mm)
  4. desertcart: copy of Amazon US listing for the Faber-Castell kneaded eraser with case (ASIN B01EFPZHOO: #1 in Drawing Erasers, 4.7 stars, 19,418 ratings, 31.1 g)
  5. ShopSavvy: Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser (model 127220, UPC 9556089009225, review summary)
  6. The Well-Appointed Desk: The Great Eraser Rub-Off Challenge (July 7, 2016)

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