Was testing some 11x14 Ilford Multigrade IV RC Perl Finish paper. I cut it down in half ( since I dont have an 11x14 tray just yet ), then cut one half into test strips, and the other trimed down to an 8.5x11. I utilized two test strips and they came out fine for the desired exposure, so then I continue to expose the large sheet at 25 seconds @ f/11 off my Graflex Optar 90mm f/6.3 with a Polycontrast #3 filter (lol, hey if it works it works, just may not work as intended )
When I went to develop the paper, I noticed the right side of the print getting dark really fast, so I figured uh oh, maybe I got it hit by light some how. So I took another sheet out of the box, and I pretty much rolled it back and forth in the smaller tray to get some development going, I learned that the edge towards the opening of the dark bag has been fogged upto 5 inches into the paper. Basically if I cut off 5" I'd be left with roughly a 11x9 paper that would be ok for the most part. Below is a scan of the print where I discovered the edge was fogged (click to enlarge)
I went and cut off 5" , then trimed the remaining size down to a 8.5x11, and re-printed ( this time with a #2 filter, and for 20 seconds ), its currently drying in the bathroom and appears to be fine.
*click to enlarge
Keep in mind I did not have to pay anything for this paper, it came in with an enlarger a student sold us, and its our policy not to sell used paper or chemicals to anyone (possibly for the reasons such as above ), I've gotten lucky sometimes, but I wanted to grab the box of 11x14 in case it was still good, particularly because my co-worker just ends up using the photographic paper as scrap writing paper at the register regardless if its good or not. So I guess the paper is 'sorta' still good, just needs to be cut down. I'll probally develop a sheet off the bottom to see if maybe the fogging goes away the further down the stack I go (its a 50 sheet box ).