hey Brian,
Thanks for bringing this up, i have never gave much thought about the joint it self thinning and becoming weak after the weld, though i noticed it,
I also never gave consideration on what the implications were on understanding it as a new smith learning to weld.
looking back i can see how this confused some of the reasons for scarfing and upsetting. it took me a good long time to get why you upset and scarf. because on the first fire poker i tried, i just folded and welded it up ;0)