BuyItForLife

If you’re starting out and want to dip your toe in without huge financial commitment: stay away from the ones with fancy handles/scales, and go for a yo-deba (much akin to a wusthoff or similar western chefs knife) or a gyuto (similar, though a finer blade). “Hand-hammered” finishes are a take it or leave it thing - it’s basically just an aesthetic they do for western buyers, and real blacksmiths don’t bother with that shit, but if you find a deal on one with that finish, that doesn’t mean it’s a “bad” knife.

I spotted this gyuto on CKTG, as well as this gyuto and this yo-deba on Korin. They’re definitely more basic, but they’ll work perfectly well if you don’t want to spend a ton. Note that many blades are “handed” - that is, a right handed blade is intended to be used with the right hand, as the side closest to you will cut almost straight down as you look along the flat of the blade. And of course the sky’s the limit in terms of price… so find the sweet spot that works for you in terms of price, quality, style, and cosmetic “extras” (if you like that sort of thing).