What is tooth? Is it good, bad or otherwise. Please give me an answer I can sink my teeth into...

From the glossary at Richard's Pens.

When you hear tooth here we are talking about the roughness that you can feel. So, a "buttery smooth" nib has tooth, but none that we can feel. Some like their nibs a little toothier so they can control their writing better.

For writing, a bit of tooth keeps my pen under better control. For drawing I like a wet slick line.

Sidney hit the nail on the head so all I'm adding here is my personal experience.

Most of the time, I don't want tooth that I can feel. buuuuut... sometimes it's an enjoyable feedback. I do have nibs that are so smooth that they sometimes skate on very slick paper (Clairefontaine comes to mind) so I like to use those on other papers and use my toothier (though only marginally) pens on rougher papers. I think having a range of nibs and papers gives you a range of experiences. I also like very smooth-cornered stubs that are effortless to use, and then sometimes I like a stub that I call "sharp" (nothing like a crisp Binder nib but not glassy either) because it gives such interesting feedback.

It actually took me quite a while to appreciate "butter smooth" nibs because I could hardly control my handwriting with them. I greatly preferred my Aurora 88–known to be a bit toothy by comparison–for a longtime because it kept my writing neat and orderly. Even now, I don't mind a little friction under my nib (I'd like another Aurora in fact), but I've come to love really smooth nibs - the Signums, Dani Trios and Sailors in my experience.

Like KCat - I've also come to like a slightly sharp stub/italic nib. I just recently got a cursive italic from Richard, which is the sharpest custom nib I've owned, and I really enjoy the feel and extra variation.

Smoothness of the nib on paper is one of the reason I love fountain pens so much. Some of the one's I bought online have a nib that' s a bit thoothy which I do not like, I can't wait to get to a pen show to have them smoothed.

Well, thanks for the speedy answers. Everyone keeps mentioning Clairefontaine. Will someone please write to me using this paper.....I have yet to meet a piece in person!

If you remind me in the next snail, or when I get your envelope and pack your pen, I'll remember to write a note on Clairfontaine. I like it with some pens and inks but not with others. Can't exactly say why, just do. It is a bit shiny and ink doesn't dry quite as fast, but it sure is smooth.

Andy

Note to Andy: NAG NAG - there, does that sound familiar? LOL. please please please send a note on Clairfontaine! BTW...who in heaven was Claire Fontaine?? (I have a gorgeous perfume bottle with that same name from Lalique).