Ian, You seem to know much about this based on your posts. What would you recommend on my questions above? I'd like to use a D23 like formula as a single bath and get something sharper than BTTB, more like Beutler's. Could I reduce the SS and add some borax or metaborate?
Well - ParkerSmithPhoto, the issue (you mentioned above) to the function of sodium sulfite in concern of sharpness isn't quite clear to me. But that has nothing to say (if it is not clear to me

) because I come more from the practical side (not so much from the theoreticaly

workflow).
"I know he lowered the amound of sodium sulfite from 100g to 80g to increase sharpness" you stated?
OK - so far , so fine now let's have a LOOK what Stephen Anchell has to say in that concern :
" In the Film developing formula Kodak D23 the large amond of Sodium Sulfite (100 Grams) serves to create an environment sufficiently alkaline that the developing agend, methol can reduce the silver halide without an additional accelerator.............."
So as we might know this is stated in concern of the Kodak D23 formulation (wich contains just 2 chemicals) 1) methol 2) sodium sulfite.
The approach of Barry T. is of course different - he splitted his formulation as two bath developer
(pls. have a LOOK at bath two : Sodium Metaborate 12g !!!!!!!!!!)
No problem at all Parker S. I will tell you I was the most lousy student in chemistry lessions you can,t imagine - (but none of this theachers find out



).
What about folowing aproach to you next :
1) you will find a different variation of D23 wich will serve you more "sharpness" but I warn you differences are not great.
Alternate 2) you will find a different developer wich will serve you more "sharpness" but I warn you because you perhaps (indeed in some cases) will louse finest grain.
Alternate 3) you will reduce higher the amound of sodium sulfite in concern of original 100g amound just to check what will happen (why not buy the way - is it less sharp then?)
My recomandation : A cross check to 3) : you first should reduce the sodium sulfite ammound on a level of 70gramm (I be sure your developer will also work on this level fine) but what could be interesting is the question : IS THE RESSULT MORE SHARPNESS INDEED ?
If this will work you may have some Tests from reducing the level of sodium sulfite to your personal optimum (in regard of sharpness) .....but if this will cost you fine grain you should think about twice.
with regards