Thread: Now what should follow my sanded strop after I nicked and gouged it!!

First, I learned a valuable lesson last night and made a very good decision. The lesson is for a novice not to try straight razor shaving after you have taken Claritin-D. I didn't realize how much my coordination was affected. My oldest child brought home a cold to the family a few days ago and last night I need some relief; so, I decide to take a hot shower and shave. Earlier I had taken Claritin-D as this is my goto for when the runny nose and watery eyes become unbearable. Well I as far as cold symptoms are concerned, I felt fine. So after my shower, I prepped for the shave and began to strop. I nicked and gauged the strop because my focus was affected.
So figured I had better not even try shaving. I had no Idea my focus was affected that much: hence the do not drive or operate heavy machinery warning. They should add "or attempt to shave with a cutthroat razor"! So I shaved with my DE and hung my head for the night in shame and battled mental flagellation over my mistake; however, I did give myself credit for knowing to STOP and not compound my mistake.

Today I purchased 400, 800, and 2000 grit wet/dry auto finishing sand paper and managed to remove the damage to the point where I cannot see or even feel it with my hand. I rinsed the strop with water to remove the sanding media and dried it. I rubbed it with my palm and thumbs and overall I'm happy with the results.

The strop is an SRD 3" red latigo. The sanded area is a noticeable discolored patch with a "slightly" more abrasive feel then the rest of the strop. The nick and gouge measured a total of 5 to 7 mm or about 1/4" and was located in the center of the strop about 3/4" from the edge. There was no flap and the total depth was less than 1/32 of an inch. Now there is no visible sign of the nick or gouge, and I feathered the sanding repair as I increased the grit of the sand paper.

What else should I do to the damaged area before I strop my razor if anything. I planned on conditioning the entire strop and repaired section by simply palm rubbing. I don't have any strop conditioner or dressing. On the strop wiki one method of breaking in is to coat the strop with shaving soap lather and letting it dry. Has anyone done this and would it be helpful for the sanded area of the strop?

I posted this in the beginners section as opposed to the strop section since I'm a beginner.