Staedtler Tradition 110 Pencils Review.

Staedtler Tradition Drawing Pencils.

Staedtler's Mars Lumograph are their premium quality pencils aimed at artists, but I was curious to see what the Staedtler Tradition 110 pencils were like to draw with. I came across a pack of six pencils for drawing for £3.99 and thought I would give them a try.

The box was supposed to contain a 6B, 4B, 2B, B, HB and 2H, but the box I bought contained two 2H's and no 2B which was a bit odd. Ferreting around for my Faber-Castell 9000's to do a comparison with, I found another packet of these pencils and a 2B. How long I have had those I don't know.

Staedtler Tradition Drawing Pencils.

When I think of pencils I always think of this design with the red and black stripes or the Staedtler Noris pencils with the yellow and black stripes. I think they remind me of school, that may be why I have never tried them.

I started off using the B grade pencil and was quite impressed. It was very smooth to draw with. I then tried one of the 2H pencils and to start with it was a little bit scratchy. With continued use I didn't have any more issues. I then tried the 4B and found that nice and smooth and the result was not too grainy. I am not a fan of grain in my drawings, unless I am drawing something like trees where the grain helps to suggest texture.

The more I have used them, the more I have enjoyed drawing with them. They sharpen pretty well but I had a few issues getting a perfect point. Doing a comparison between the Staedtler Tradition and the Faber-Castell 9000's, I realised that their tonal range is pretty similar; perhaps that is why I like them. Below is a comparison .

I think for a student or anyone on a budget these are great pencils to draw with. According to Staedtler, they have super bonded lead and a special break resistant lead formation. They are made from wood from FSC-certified sustainably managed forests and come in 12 degrees from 6B to 4H. I also bought a sketch set of Staedtler Noris pencils for £3. I have read that they are a bit smoother to draw with than the Tradition. I will use them, then do a comparison.

Below are three drawings using the Staedtler Tradition 110 pencils. The first is on smooth heavy weight paper and the second two are on Langton Prestige Hot Pressed watercolour paper.

Comments

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