I suppose you could say that kitchen knives are 'Handtools', couldn't you? But I'm not sure gratuitous picture gloats would be entirely within the ethos of this forum
I do like the damascus - and have been wondering for a while if anyone makes folded plane blades in damascus steel, similar to the suminigashi japanese chisels???
As it happens, I prefer the heft and shape of the santoku, but you only ever get it in 165-180mm lengths, and I quite like longer blades (hence the gyuto's).
Have you had a look around Kin Knives or
www.japaneseknifecompany.com? Both very helpful in the choice of blade - and happy to talk about the range of knives they have that aren't in their catalogue/website..... Very dangerous indeed
Cheers,
Adam