Question on tulwar blade construction

[estcrh]

Mughal Indian horse head sword with wootz blade.

The long slender blade is forged from Wootz Damascus, and has been scarf welded where the hard steel blade is welded to a softer more flexible heel.

[estcrh]

Afghan pulwar sword with pattern welded blade.

The blade is forged from very high quality pattern welded Damascus steel, with a high contrast pattern. The process used in the construction of this sword is very unusual and acts to provide a stiff but flexible cutting blade. It is known as Scarf Welding. The hard pattern welded steel blade is welded to a softer more flexible heel part of the blade. The weld can be seen at the ricasso, or just under the langet.