Thread: Scratch like marks?

Alright, I feel like I've embraced the less pressure and skin stretching advice.

I've gotten no cuts or nicks in the last week plus and the only blood has been a couple weepers, probably attributable to pimples.

However, I have been getting these scratch like marks that hang around for as long as a week or so. I feel no pain or skipping while shaving, just notice them when I'm done or later in the day.

Is my razor dull? Is there some better prep I can do? Right now I shave after showering and use some DR Harris aftershave milk. I also use alum bloc after every shave.

Are there any scratch like marks on your strop?

No, I haven't noticed any difference in my strop, or in the "feel" of stropping.

Should I do a 100 passes or so on the balsa that came with my poor mans strop kit?

Get an eye loupe or a microscope and check for micro chips.

Are you using a square point razor? If so, you may be digging in with the toe as you shave just a bit; it can leave marks like you described.

The only similar I have ever seen is when you dig in you get marks like that usually red streaks but depending on your skin and the pressure you use they may not be red. They usually last a couple days then fade. I imagine they are either irritation or maybe some trivial damage to some capillaries under the skin. Spike points can really do that to you like Dylan says.

Also make sure that you are not "resting" the edge of the razor on your skin at any point during the shave. That will often leave marks similar to what you are describing.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Are you using a square point razor? If so, you may be digging in with the toe as you shave just a bit; it can leave marks like you described.

No, for the time being, square points scare me.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Get an eye loupe or a microscope and check for micro chips.

Any preferred spot to get a loupe or a microscope? What is an appropriate magnification factor?

If you could post a picture it would help us help you...