In reply to How many bezier points should be used:
The Adobe Spec for Type 1 fonts specifically makes an exception for very small curves. Here is the last sentence on p. 29 of the spec: "It is not necessary to place an endpoint at extremes of very small curves such as the tips of curved serifs."
Personally, I think that there are more exceptions than this, especially in italic fonts. I'd be interested in what others' experience is with italics.
