Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencils in HB - B - 2B Pencil Review

[@DavidMacLeod-j1i]

Totally agree with your observation - the Lumographs are just not dark or soft enough for my tastes (I'm an artist). It doesn't make them bad pencils by any means, but I prefer the blackness of Japanese pencils. In saying that, you should try to get hold of some vintage Eagle Turquoise HB 2mm leads... they are sublime, a lot like Hi-Uni and Tombow, very soft and dark for HB.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, David. I will keep my eye open for some old Eagle Turquois leads. I often find things like that at estate sales. Thanks!

[@GenWivern2]

I've been quietly enjoying your content for quite a while now: many thanks. With the exception of Eagle Turquoise I've probably been through more Lumographs than any other type of pencil. They're comparatively inexpensive here in the UK for a quality item and never seem to vary; for the most part it's been 2H, 4H and 6H for me but the softer grades appear to be every bit as predictable. Too common to have much glamour about them, but it's quite a handsome paint job, isn't it?

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi GenWivern2 - thanks for watching - it's appreciated and I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Yes, I guess there is a commonness about these pencils, but they are consistent in their quality. I agree the paint in very handsome, indeed!

[@alexlabrum260]

Always enjoy your reviews. Thank you for doing these.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

You're welcome, Alex. Appreciate you watching!

[@salliemorrill2671]

Great video. Love Staedtler. Excellent quality. Used their lead holder & blue colored lead for drafting. They used to make an expensive line of drawing pens yrs ago. Should we request a German vs Japanese pencil challenge?

[@GoodOleDFT]

A write-off? That's a great idea!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Sallie! I don't know if they still make those expensive drawing pens, but Staedtler makes a number of very good products. I like your idea about German vs Japanese! Thanks!

[@GoodOleDFT]

I had the opportunity to test these Lumographs in my local stationery shop. From 6H to 3B, I test-wrote them all, and while interesting, they weren't worth the cost compared to the Faber-Castell ones. The FCs were cheaper, smoother and darker. If I were to pick among these three I'd 110% go with the 2B.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi DFT - Sounds like your local shop had a good variety of these Lumographs. The Faber-Castell is a very nice pencil and I can see how they would be preferred over these. Thanks!

[@raccoon874]

*The Mars Plastic eraser is my favorite (readily available in Canada), though the Arch Foam erasers consistently perform just as well. If I come across a package that is well-priced, I will try it out.*

[@GoodOleDFT]

The Mars seems to be easily available worldwide. Perfect baseline eraser.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Raccoon - The Arch Foam and Mars erasers are two of the best. You can't go wrong with either of them - they both do an excellent job across most graphites. Thanks!

[@Ayatron34]

For drawing , I use the Mars Lumograph for when I need a medium level of accuracy and a pencil that highlights well with the eraser aka when the Japanese Mistubishi Hi Uni 's softness and darkness is too blunt an instrument for detail, but when I dont yet want to go to the nuclear option of using the Caran D'Ache Grafwood, a pencil I reserve for only the most complicated and difficult drawings.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Ayatron - thanks for sharing your experience with these pencils!

[@emberberryart]

Yeah, I've tried these out. Good variety of hardness for drawing. Although, I have moved to Mitsubishi Uni-star pencils (mostly bc the lead seems to be darker due to the japanese lead used) they are really nice to draw with and not too expensive.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi emberberryart - the Mitsubishi Uni-Star pencils are really nice. I've only used them for handwriting, but they have beautiful graphite. Thanks!

[@MillAppartments-kb5vd]

In Australia these can be bought in metal cases containing a selection of six different grades, 1 of each. $AU15, made in Germany. Local 🇦🇺 steadtler production ceased about 20 years ago.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks for letting me know. They used to sell the metal case set in the US at one time but I haven't seen it in years. Thanks!

[@jeremyrear]

Great review, Kevin! I used Lumographs in architecture school, and they are great for quick drafting, or sketching exercises. I honestly prefer lead holders for drafting and other wood-cased options for sketching. But, they are still classic, and fine German pencils! I appreciate that they still make these pencils with cedar wood. I have a couple special and unique items for you…How shall I get them to you?

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Jeremy! Thanks for letting me know your experience with the Lumographs. I'm glad they are still being made, too. My mailing address is Always Analog, PO Box 124, Croswell, MI 48422. Thanks so much!

[@jeremyrear]

@@AlwaysAnalogThe package will arrive to you tomorrow. Aside from the “stars of the show” in the package, there are several other goodies I have included. Two items, which are green and blue in color, are very unique. See if you can spot their uniqueness, as compared to ones that you can easily get from the manufacturer. Thank you, Kevin! I hope you like and enjoy this little treat!

[@jeremyrear]

Hi Kevin! I just wanted to make sure you received the parcel. Thanks!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

@@jeremyrear Hello Jeremy! I went to the post office this morning and your parcel was there. I sent you an email - THANK YOU!

[@greekveteran2715]

I'm an artist since the late 80''s, in my experience I prefer these for writing rather than drawing (Nothing beats Faber Castell for drawing). Unfortunately, I find the newer Faber Castell having changed their graphite formula a lot.They are now softer and thus they have lost the control they provided for linework as also the shading, doesn't look as smooth as their older pencils. That's why I go for old stock whenever I can find these.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi greekveteran - thanks for letting me know. I wasn't aware that FC had changed their graphite formula. Hope you can stock up on the older versions. Thanks!

[@jojojo8835]

Anyone bought recently and noticed a drop in quality? I’m a Staedtler Tradition girl normally, but my last batch of 2b were significantly harder, some gritty, and the leads weren’t centred so badly broke on the sharpener. Like they never broke before, even when I dropped them on concrete. Bought some online but then some at a local shop to compare, and both the same. I would like to try the Lumograph but worried they will have the same manufacturing issues

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi jojojo - I found these to be of very good quality. I know that Steadtler has shifted some of its manufacturing out of Germany, most likely to save money. Others have mentioned the drop in quality especially among those pencils not made in Germany. Thanks!

[@Recordesk]

✏️ 🤗

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Thanks, Nancy!

[@touro_lamayt]

Hi I like that pencil before i even seen all the video

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Touro! Glad you like this pencil!

[@KobieK]

The only non-Japanese pencils that I would buy. Also, I only buy the ones made in Germany. Unfortunately, there are many Staedtler pencils that are outsourced.

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Kobie - yes, Staedtler has outsourced some of their production, especially the inexpensive pencils like the Norica. Most of those are now being made in Asia. Thanks!

[@jojojo8835]

@@AlwaysAnalogmy last batch of Tradition were supposedly made in Germany but sure didn’t match previous ones for quality. Bought in August from two different sources; one online and one local shop, so not just one dodgy batch. Any insight welcome, but it’s made me wary of the brand.