"Damascus"/Pattern welded blades -- how strong are they?

[mahsah]

I'm kinda a newbie to knives, but now and then I see that a knife made by a manufacturer has a "damascus" version (which is really just pattern welded, right?).

Is there any advantage to pattern welded blades like these other than looks?

 

[DennisStrickland]

damascus due to exstensive metal working can be very strong and shock asorbing however all it takes is 1 bad to ruin weld to ruin parade.