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David Perry

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How long do yours last? Mine is two years and going well although its filthy. It cleans okay and leaves no marks.. But I do sometimes think I ought to buy a new one. Maybe it leaves no marks I see any more...
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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They do indeed get filthy, especially if you use them for soft pencils, carbon pencils or charcoal. When you asked 'how long do yours last?' I looked around for mine: and discovered that it fell to bits some while ago, and I've been using bits of blue-tack instead.... So adding to my list of wants - that's oil varnish, Linseed oil, putty rubber..... oh, and a harder conté crayon; Jacksons or Ken Bromley, I'm on my way.

Sylvia Evans

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I must admit I often have two on the go. I pull pieces off them and knead it into points to rub out in a specific area. Plus they are great for drawing with a piece of cartridge paper covered with charcoal and just draw. I do remember using white bread in place of one. But I also buy new ones very frequently .
michael

Michael Edwards

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I used to use them all the time but nowadays I use ordinary rubbers - as long as I am gentle with them they work perfectly for me and - unlike putty rubbers - they stay clean.
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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I have had good putty rubbers and bad putty rubbers. Some white ones have leaked oil - disaster! So I now stick to blue ones, which maybe bBuetack. But Bluetack now seems to be pink!

David Perry

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Im still with the old one...maybe you're getting stronger!
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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Just had another putty rubber disaster!  As I couldn't find my old tried and tested blue putty rubber, I thought I would try out my new white putty rubber by Windsor & Newton.  It refused to knead.  Then it started disintegrating.  I tried tapping the paper to get off the bits and resorted to a light squirrel brush, but ended up blurring all of the charcoal drawing! If only I could remember where I got my blue one from or what make it was.  Can any one recommend a good one?

Edited
by Linda Wilson

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Alan Green

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Blu-Tac does it for me. It might not be the best solution but I get far better results with it than using putty erasers which, frankly, don't 
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Must be something different in the white W&N the one I bought did the same had it replaced and the same happened. Went to a different art shop and got a new larger blue one it works fine.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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The blue ones are more kneadable and less likely to fray and drop bits all over the place - they're softer, and more malleable; the white ones can be pulled to a point and used as a drawing implement.... but I don't like 'em!  I tend to use blu-tak as well, or one of those erasers in a battery-driven pen (which require some getting used to). I haven't bought a putty rubber for a while now but seem to remember Jacksons having the blue ones.
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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Thanks Alan, Dixie and Robert.  I knew you would have all the answers.