I agree about the shave part: it is the goal; and scratches seem not to interfere.

However; ( you knew there was gonna be a however right?)

Most would agree that following the same path, angle, stroke after stoke is important. you dont want unevenness. We keep our hones deadly flat. Glen says a taped bevel can be reset in 20 strokes..... so if one is following the same exact path stroke after stroke, and one's hones are matching flat.

Scratches should fall off naturally through technique. Me I leave some to be sociable