yes I agree that many texts have said the buttweld was inferior...... and welding is only as good as the smith is...... ... (there are many examples of bad welds )
- actually, there was many tests done by the Navy on weld strength... they concluded that a butt weld was weak.... but if it is properly scarfed, weld strength was great !
my definition of a scarfed joint is basically a rounded surface... so when the weld is about to take place, it will squish outwards the flux/scale and make a solid weld.. (rather than trap it in the weld)
another big problem with welds is some smiths do not grind the fire scale off of the surface before welding....... lot's of the fire scale will contaminate the weld and make it less secure. (this is critical for a good weld )
if you look at Jonathan 's site..... he has some pic's on how a seax was welded up.. (butt weld)
http://www.jloose.com/siteimages/interrupt1.jpg
http://www.jloose.com/siteimages/interrupt2.jpg
http://www.jloose.com/siteimages/interrupt3.jpg
http://www.jloose.com/siteimages/seax12.5.03.jpg
now that you mention it..... it does make sense that they put an edge on like this...... by doubling the welded area it should make the edge even more secure..... and you don't have to rely on a single weld
many cultures have developed their own welding strategies to cope with the materials at hand... maybe what is best in Japan is not the best in europe...
good post
Greg
barong, keris.. are very interesting laminates...
