[jester]

I would add for knife fighting:

Initiative is a big thing.

In many games it is that one character who uses his stealth to eliminate the sentry with a knife. So, the stealth comes into play as well as the armed melee skill.

Next, initiative, a battlehardened trooper who fought the Battle of Warsaw verses a conscript on his first action. Who is going to win....or even stay around?

The idea of being impaled on cold steel is right up there with being eaten alive. A note, in so many "Bayonet charges" those killed by bayonets is pretty small. So, a GM should really take that into consideration.

Pictures this, "Ivan and Victor" are on sentry duty. Two weeks ago they were in a refugee collective. The "recruiters" came by and they both join up at the ripe old age of 16. They are tossed dirty old uniforms that are two sizes too big and worn out boots. They've been emptying the chamber pot of the Colonel and washing dishes in the camp kitchen. (hopefully not with the same water) And last week, they were issued an old worn out SKS each and 5 rounds. Today they are on the guard roster. They think they are now real soldiers.

Sgt Smith, who has about 13 years service is trying to get back to US lines after the 5ths demise.

He has waited all day in the woods, watching and waiting. But Ivan and Victor are now blocking his way. He waits until midnight, slowly low crawls and waits an arms reach from the very green soldiers.

Then, he pounces!

He is on Victor before he even knows what has happened. Sliding atop him with his M7 sliding between the youth colar bone and neck. He is dead before he hits the ground. Ivan is an arms reach away. He is too stunned to react. And Sgt Smith in one swift move slashes Ivans throat, the second youth manages a gurgle but chokes on his own blood as he falls dying.

If its in light, change the scenario where Sgt Smith looks at Ivan and simply pushes past him. (Like the scene in Saving Private Ryan)

Or, Sgt Smith moves in with blade bare, the youths eyes go wide. They both drop their weapons and run/drop to their knees praying for mercy.

Another factor:

Type of blade, sorry but an AF survival knife verses a Kuhkri or a sykes fairbian are two different styles of fighting and cause different damage and levels of damage.