Yep as it was said before me - the only thing that matters is that the edge is honed properly and relying on the factory honing is pretty much a gamble. Hopefully your local shop would know how to hone it for you, but that may cost you a tad more (seems like start up cost is an issue for you).
Skip the hones, but get a strop - you won't get a decent shave without one, unless your face skin is actually leather, in which case save your money and proceed to shaving with your favorite kitchen knife :w