Regardless of the handle material, the Cermax has been around a long time, and I thought discontinued because the price of the 66RC (ZDP) steel was too expensive.
The steel is super ware resistant, really not that hard to maintain, but a hassle to thin. Profile of the 240 gyuto was good; geometry was OK- a touch thick behind the edge; handle was clunky and heavy- livable with the large gyuto, but unbearable with any other size.
The cladding on the original series was much too soft, and scratched super easy; I'd bet the damascus clad are no better....