Towards the end of the 19th century, immediately after the opening of Japan, the Westerners learned for the first time about the Japanese martial arts and one of the things that were the most surprising for them was that instead of fighting with fists, like it was preferred especially in USA and UK, the Japanese preferred to use the open hand, preferably the edge or the base, as being much safer and more effective.
At the same time in Okinawa they preferred to use the fists, but that was right for them only because those using fists practiced daily conditionining of the fists by hitting a maki-wara.
Also today, for anyone who does not punch regularly some training device, hitting either with the open hand (edge or base) or only with the external side of the fist (hammer fist) is the right choice for any purpose.
At the same time in Okinawa they preferred to use the fists, but that was right for them only because those using fists practiced daily conditionining of the fists by hitting a maki-wara.
Also today, for anyone who does not punch regularly some training device, hitting either with the open hand (edge or base) or only with the external side of the fist (hammer fist) is the right choice for any purpose.