I haven't noticed anything specific in terms of the latest updates, but I have certainly noticed quite a few hand strikes overall. Being someone in H.E.M.A, I would like to say it's not at all unrealistic to go about hand carving like a mad sadist (it's a terrible habit of mine in sparring, to the detriment of other hits)!
Anyway, isn't that the beauty of the game's armour system, exploiting any tiny gaps in an opponent's armour to delicious effect? I remember a moment I recorded for an Exanima game review and I somehow managed to slice a helmeted opponent's face.