If you do scratch a neg, try Edwal No-Scratch. It's a liquid oil-like substance that you apply to both sides of the negative before enlargement. The oil has a refractive index similar to acetate film-bases and it eliminates or reduces the appearance of the scratch in your print. When you're done, use a film cleaner and negative-safe wipe to remove the stuff.
Another tip for you. If your negative comes out a little flat, you can get results similar to N+1 development (expansion of negative densities above zone VI) by agitating your negatives in selenium toner diluted 1:2 or 1:3 for about five minutes. It's basically an intensification process, but it only affects the high values. As a side benefit, it doesn't increase the appearance of grain like N+1 development normally does. You can use this technique in combination with N+1 development to get N+2 development with todays modern thin-emulsion films.
-Chip
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