Taking many features from the swords of neighboring lands, a pulwar might be described as "an Afghani talwar". Most existing pulwar date back to the early 19th century. Pulwar blades tend to be more elaborately fullered than those of the talwar. Some pulwar hilts were fitted to Persian blades which are slimmer and more curved and tapered towards the tip than the more typical robust pulwar blades. The hilt is characterized by two quillons which are short and turned to point in the direction of the blade in the manner of some shamshir and saif. The pommel of the hilt exhibits a cup-shape. Often both hilt and blade can be ornately engraved with inscriptions, designs, and images, such as a largely stylised phallus decoration.