1. Surface concentration - (same pounds per square inch, just fewer inches = more pounds per inch = more penetration)
2. Fitting - Always have an appropriate weapon to the appropriate target.
3. Angle of entry - of course, sometimes the fist will not "fit".
4. Angle of incidence - you can rotate the handsword further than the fist, insuring a nice impact as verses the hammerfist not rotating enough to get into the target. Just try to countour up someones body with a fist as vs the handsword.
etc., etc.
That being said, I still like the hammerfist due to the fact I can hit harder, with less chance of injuring the bones in my hands. A properly clenched fist is much harder to accidently break than the handsword. (if only I had not given up that makiwara training and iron palm when I found Kenpo - I can actually hit them in a target appropriatley with effect, and not have to be able to kill a tree with my shins or fists.)
Besides ... I heard great Mr. Parker stories - usually involving a punch, heel palm, or hammerfist. That may be where I got my sadistic graphic tendencies. The feel of bones crunching - whoops, went too far ... again! :viking1:
-Michael
UKS-Texas