There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
Any rate, Damascus is a type of steel, not a knife geometry, so if you don't like asian style knives, getting a Damascus steel gyuto is not really gonna fix your issue. It's gonna be a pretty knife. If you like western style chef's knives, then a damascus steel knife would be both attractive and useful.
As good damascus steel knives are pricey, I'd recommend going to a store and figuring out what you do like before spending on a fancy knife.
Nowdays, damascus is pre-made in large plates that companies can just stamp out, and then add any 3d elements with pin welding. Damasus patterning IS beautiful, but it is NOT a sign of quality, and is no longer a guarantee of any level of quality. You can even buy preground Damascus knife blanks that you add you own handle to. There are dozens of Kickstarter knives that are cheap communist Chinese knives with 67 layers are available for 60-130 dollars.
There is NO comparison between a Damascus knife made in communist China and a Japanese knife, not because of geography or ethnicity, but because of the emphasis of production numbers as opposed to individual pride of craftsmanship.
In theory, multi layer cladding CAN add resilience to a harder knife. but after 3 layers, it's just cosmetics. I'd FAR prefer a handmade Japanese knife of 3 layers like a Miyabi Artisan or a Tojiro SG2 over a dalstrong 69 layer knife at the same price point (and of course the Tojiro DP, the Yaxell Mon, etc are even less expensive) and that's not even counting handmade blades. I'd rather have an "ugly" kurouchi knife or a "plain" monosteel or 3 layer knife by a better maker or with a better steel, than have "pretty" Damascus knives. Although I DO own many Damascus, they are by better makers and just happen to be Damascus, like my Yaxell Gou's my Tojiro Senkuo's, My masakagnes, etc. The Damascus was NOT the reason for the decision.
Again, after 3 layers, it's just cosmetics, there is no functional advantage. But cosmetics ARE important to some people
1 it is POSSIBLE that a pattern welded finish MIGHT help slightly in food release. If so it is minimal and it also depends what the materials of the Damascus are.
Another issue is that after 3 layers, it is only cosmetic. 3 layers may give a fnctional advantage of a soft outer, or a non-stain outer surrounding a harder or carbon core steel (or a harder carbon core).
A third issue is that a decade ago, a patter welded blade meant that more time, and effort went into making it. Therefore it was often paired with better craftsmanship in other areas. And because it was more labor intensive and because it might have been made by a more skilled craftsman, it was a sign of a better made knife. THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE. There ARE many high end makers of knives with pattern welding, but they are few and far between. Pattern welded steel is readily available in industrial length rolls, plates and billets. It is usually PREMADE by separate companies at only a small premium of cost to monosteel or 3 layer sheet, roll and billet. There ARE some companies like Yaxell, Miyabi, Tojiro that make their own, but very few. Nowdays there are cheap good, cheap mediocre and just plain crummy "Damascus" knives coming out of communist China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
If you want a Shun, Tojiro, Miyabi, Yaxell, Mcuesta, etc with layers they're GREAT. Tojiro, Miyabi and Yaxell also make some GREAT knives with 3 layers that are functionally GREAT, but at very reasonable cost. I'd HIGHLY recommend those. But in general stay away from the ex cheapo "67 layer" knives we've all been seeing on facebook and kickstarter