Scarf Welding On A Malay Sundang???

CharlesS · 19th September 2013, 04:07 PM

Most of us are familiar with a method of welding two different portions of a steel blade together known as "scarf welding". This is probably most common on Indian tulwars and the lines indicating the scarf weld can be found closer to the hilt end of the blade. It is not terribly rare to find a tulwar with a blade that is homogenous steel at the forte and welded together with any degree of quality of wootz steel for the remaining length of the blade.

There are a number theories about why this was done. What it clearly is not, is a break in the blade. The lines indicating the scarf weld are generally some distance apart on opposite sides of the blade indicating that the two portions of the blade have been overlaid together for strength and then welded.

This is the first time I have seen anything like this on any kind of kriss or sundang. I was so startled by it that I hoped other members could confirm that a scarf weld is exactly what it is.

Note:

* a line on each side of the blade, each offset by about 3/4 of an inch.
* the two sides of the line seem to show two very different forms of steel construction. The different "grains" of the steel on opposite sides of the line is immediately noticeable.
* the blade continuity is not disturbed at all, and there is no impact to the edge at the weld point.

Assuming this is, indeed, a scarf weld it is a bit of a shock to me. I have never seen this on a SE Asian sundang or kriss. I suppose it should not be a huge surprise with the trade and cultural contact between India and Malaysian and other portions of SE Asia.

Assuming it is copied from the Indian idea or version of scarf welding, this example has certainly done the art a good turn as the weld seems near perfectly executed(one side better than the other) with no real indication of the seam opening as is sometimes the case with Indian examples of scarf welding. It looks to be a quality job.

I have included a diagram of a scarf welding technique(source: Autonopedia)

I am anxious to hear from others regarding their opinion about this blade.

19th September 2013, 04:07 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Scarf Welding On A Malay Sundang??? Most of us are familiar with a method of welding two different portions of a steel blade together known as "scarf welding". This is probably most common on Indian tulwars and the lines indicating the scarf weld can be found closer to the hilt end of the blade. It is not terribly rare to find a tulwar with a blade that is homogenous steel at the forte and welded together with any degree of quality of wootz steel for the remaining length of the blade. There are a number theories about why this was done. What it clearly is not, is a break in the blade. The lines indicating the scarf weld are generally some distance apart on opposite sides of the blade indicating that the two portions of the blade have been overlaid together for strength and then welded. This is the first time I have seen anything like this on any kind of kriss or sundang. I was so startled by it that I hoped other members could confirm that a scarf weld is exactly what it is. Note: * a line on each side of the blade, each offset by about 3/4 of an inch. * the two sides of the line seem to show two very different forms of steel construction. The different "grains" of the steel on opposite sides of the line is immediately noticeable. * the blade continuity is not disturbed at all, and there is no impact to the edge at the weld point. Assuming this is, indeed, a scarf weld it is a bit of a shock to me. I have never seen this on a SE Asian sundang or kriss. I suppose it should not be a huge surprise with the trade and cultural contact between India and Malaysian and other portions of SE Asia. Assuming it is copied from the Indian idea or version of scarf welding, this example has certainly done the art a good turn as the weld seems near perfectly executed(one side better than the other) with no real indication of the seam opening as is sometimes the case with Indian examples of scarf welding. It looks to be a quality job. I have included a diagram of a scarf welding technique(source: Autonopedia) I am anxious to hear from others regarding their opinion about this blade. Attached Images