What is tooth in a nib?

[Ron C]

I have read that some nibs (eg. Aurora nibs ) are toothy. Can someone explain what toothiness is, what causes this characteristic, and the pros and cons of a toothy nib versus a butter smooth one?

Thanks.

[spot]

I have an Aurora Hastil wich is anything but toothy (medium nib).

Tooth means when the nib point scratches and 'tears' the paper fibers and feels as if you are writing with a sharp needle.

Edited December 19, 2009 by spot

[stevlight]

This is just MY own understanding of the word. Toothyness to me is you feel the paper more, you feel more connected to the paper. Butter smooth is like ice skating, Toothy is more hiking in boots. I like toothy nibs for drawing they slow me down and connect me more to the paper. I am sure others will chime in--I am interested in what they will say.

[Randal6393]

Toothy means "has some friction when writing". Originally used to describe the interaction of a pencil and the paper used with it. Also called "feedback" which I think is a more accurate term. The control of a pen on paper depends on how much friction and in what directions.

 

A round-ball nib with a touch of toothiness may not be any more controllable than a butter-smoothe nib. Personal preference has a lot to do with how much toothiness is good here.

 

An Italic nib, on the other hand, has a small bit of tooth in the wide downstrokes and moves easily in the 45-degree angle on the paper. This is what helps the writer maintain the shape of his letters as he writes. Again, how much tooth depends on the taste of the writer.

 

A pen needs enough tooth to be controllable but not enough to limit the writing. Again, personal preference. After writing with pens for a while, you should find yourself preferring certain pens over others.

 

Enjoy,

[Sharkle]

Well, sometimes toothy does equal scratchy, but mostly FPNers consider grades of tooth from a feedback perspective, i.e. a butter-smooth nib glides across the page with very little or no feedback (feel of pen while writing on paper), perhaps kind of like a Sharpie on smooth paper, and a nib with tooth can mean anything from a little feedback to a very scratchy experience. I have many effortless nibs that have tooth, but none that I'd call scratchy or even close. Aurora nibs often have a very even, distinctively theirs feel on paper, which is perfect for me.

[PinarelloOnly]

I have an Aurora Hastil wich is anything but toothy (medium nib).

Tooth means when the nib point scratches and 'tears' the paper fibers and feels as if you are writing with a sharp needle.

 

Sharp needle is not what it means.

 

It means it has some drag to it or you can feel the difference in the paper you write on

as in; a grainy bond type of paper using an Aurora XF might feel like writing with a pencil vs. feeling the

smoothness of Rhodia acid free bond.

 

As for the other replies toothy is NOT scratchy (two different terms) one is feedback from the nib the other is a problem.

[Russ]

Butter on glass for me everytime...

[Ron C]

Could some pen afficionado please explain what actually causes the tactility or feedback that is called toothiness in a nib? I figure it has to be something about the way the tip of the nib contacts the paper under normal pressure. But exactly why do you feel some nibs and not others? Thanks.

Ron

[Pfhorrest]

Some nibs are shaped differently than others, since nibs are tipped in the manner that will best suit most people. If your writing style doesn't fit the majority, the 'sweet spot' of the nib might not be directly contacting the paper when you write, resulting in less lubrication between the tip and the paper.

 

There are much more complicated answers to your question, but I'll leave that to the metallurgists and pen technicians.

[Koyote]

Is tooth or feedback related to nib fineness - i.e., the finer the nib, the more likely it will give feedback/tooth?

[offbase]

I believe it can also be the result (intended or unintended) of the point's finishing process, e.g., the grade of the abrasive used for the final polish. An ultra-fine grit should result in a completely smooth nib, while using a slightly higher grade will result in a tad of feedback, higher still will result in "toothiness," etc. I equate "scratchiness" with either a badly-finished iridium point, a poorly-shaped point, or misaligned tines. Feedback -- and even toothiness -- are actually preferred by many users, whereas nobody wants a scratchy nib.

[Blade Runner]

Feedback -- and even toothiness -- are actually preferred by many users, whereas nobody wants a scratchy nib.

+1

I enjoy a bit of feedback and look for nibs that have it and avoid slippery, glassy nibs which I have difficulty controlling and don't allow me to feel the texture of my papers.

[Ron C]

Feedback -- and even toothiness -- are actually preferred by many users, whereas nobody wants a scratchy nib.

+1

I enjoy a bit of feedback and look for nibs that have it and avoid slippery, glassy nibs which I have difficulty controlling and don't allow me to feel the texture of my papers.

 

 

Jeen,

I too think some feedback or tactility helps with directional control. Can you tell me what pen brands generally contain nibs with feedback? I have heard that Aurora is one such brand. Thanks.

Ron

[Blade Runner]

Ron,

 

There may be others, but I've found it in Aurora and Montblanc nibs, especially medium and finer.

[Ron C]

Ron,

 

There may be others, but I've found it in Aurora and Montblanc nibs, especially medium and finer.

 

 

Jeen, Thanks.

Ron

[jorgerp1]

i like to "catch" the feeling between the paper and pen, not more

[Arts11]

Does anyone know where I can purchase some Micromesh [preferably in an actual "brick 'n mortar" store]? and what grit I should aim for? I was going through some pens I had in storage and remembered that some needed some long-due smoothing due to a bit of scratchiness that I had forgotten about till now.

[Koyote]

I think the underlying question in these threads is: what is the difference between toothy and scratchy? In other words, how much is normal, and how much constitutes a poorly-made or defective nib?

 

I don't know that there is an answer.

[offbase]

I think the underlying question in these threads is: what is the difference between toothy and scratchy? In other words, how much is normal, and how much constitutes a poorly-made or defective nib?

 

I don't know that there is an answer.

 

If the nib rips or catches the paper with light pressure, it is scratchy.

If the nib makes an irregular or "skippy" line, it is scratchy.

If the pen gives uncomfortable resistance, causing one to have to "push" it across the paper, it is scratchy.

[Pippin60]

Butter on glass for me everytime...

 

 

+1 Same here :thumbup:

Edited December 20, 2009 by Pippin60