I'm new to straight razors but I'm looking forward to getting started. I started using a badger hair brush and shave soap and experienced inprovements but my Gillete Mach3 is killing me. I'm stuck on buying a DOVO "Best Value" for starters, and a DOVO "No.105"(?) just because I like how the the blade looks. At $180 I'd be afraid to put that to a hone. There is another DOVO razor that caught my attention that I may consider.

Anyway, at a local barber supply I was looking at a strop when the salesman showed me a straight razor for $50. It had no name that I could see but was "Made in Germany". Is this worth the risk?