I have two pens that write very nicely but differently. Both are quite wet and leave pools at the end of strokes or where there is a pause or slowing. Both are M nibs.

One is a Pelikan M250. It writes very smooth, almost slick feeling on the page.

The other is a Reform Skywalker deomsntrator. This pen is also very smooth, but has a feel of "texture" or something when you write. Its like using a soft cedar/graphite pencil theres some awareness of what is under the tip. Its smooth, but there is a hint of sensation and sound when it writes. No perception of drag or catching, just a sensation of texture under the nib.

Is the sensation that I describe with the Reform what is referred to as "tooth" by those of you more experienced than I in FP's?

That sounds about right. Some people do use the term toothiness in a pejorative sense though.

Yep, that's it. I find this mostly in vintage pens. My Esterbrook is like that. Some people like it, some don't. For me, it depends on the pen. Some, like my Estie, just seem to have that character. Others, such as a 1970s "Stone" Pilot that I have, is too toothy and I'm going to my local nibmeister to get it fixed.

Erick

I think you've got the idea on "tooth." When I write with a sharp, flexy dip nib on paper with 25% or 100% cotton content it feels like I'm actually cutting into the paper. It also feels like the toothiness is part of getting the shading in the thick/thin lines.

I would call it feedback, not toothy.
Toothy seems close to scratchy. To me toothy can mean that the nib feels different in different directions...as if there is a rough(or unsweet) spot.

Artaddict,

That was my personal reaction to the term tooth and hence the question. The Reform pen I refer to at the beginning is anything but that. There is no sensation of cutting, catching, digging, or snagging. Just an awareness that there is a texture under the nib, that the nib is moving across. The paper surface makes a difference in the feel of the texture, but not the awareness of its presence. The feel is uniform in all directions.

I know I said this before but its much like a pencil, not newly sharpened, but with a soft round point like used for fine shading. There's an almost sensual feel instead the the glassy smoothness of ice...

I think I'm going to have to examine these nibs with a microscope to see if I can determine if its related to finish.

"Toothiness" is what I define as a gentle scraping feeling/noise emanating from the nib when you write. It's what some people look for when they don't want a nib that's so smooth it slides all over the page and they can't control it. It's not necessarily a bad thing.

I look at it like this, if I feel it but don't hear it then it's feedback, if I can feel and hear it then it's tooth. At some point too much tooth becomes scratchy. I like feedback in modern pens but not tooth. In a vintage Conlkin Endura or Crescent filler tooth is super. However, I never am accepting of a nib that is scratchy! Break out the Microfiber!

Yep, that's what people refer to as "tooth." Aurora nibs have this quality, which I happen to really like. I often find that it adds to the tactile pleasure when writing, especially when journaling. I love the smoothness and/or springiness of some nibs (Omas, Stipula, Sailor, Pilot) -- but there are also times when a nib with feedback will be more appropriate because of my mood.

I always figured that "tooth" is just the word that people selling pens in the Marketplace forum use to describe "scratchy".

Yes, I would feel it is toothiness. Pelikan nibs in general are not very 'toothy'. It really seems a matter of individual choice. At times I do enjoy a toothy nib, at times it can get tiring.

That would be a snaggletooth.

Thanks to all, especially Deirdre for clearing up the marketplace comment.

No really everyone's feedback is much appreciated.

As girlie33k says I find it adds to the tactile pleasure (I was going to say sensual experience but thought that might be a bit over the top) of writing. Something I find I am enjoying more and more as I write not only in my journal but also in my penmanship practice.

I've really come to enjoy the penmanship exercises, partly because of the feel of writing with a FP, partly because of the "experience" and partly because I am finally able to see some glimmer of hope that my penmanship might be something beyond purely functional.

Happy to hear that you're enjoying your penmanship exercises. If it's of any help, my penmanship in the last year has improved tremendously -- all because I began using fountain pens exclusively (except for the occasional CC thermal paper signature). The effort was without will. I simply enjoyed writing more and by doing so, I was able to improve my penmanship. I'd post a before and after sample, but I'm too embarrassed to show what my penmanship was like just a year ago.