scramasax wrote:are you talking about using a whipping motion, or simply directing your qi at the flame?
as for the whipping motion, palms are usually easier because the push more air at close distances, but are less efficient at long distances. this also show that palms have less penetrating power.
for directing the qi, fingers usually are easier because its a more focussed stream of qi.
It's true that palms have less penetrating power than fingers but not in the way you present it.
The reason why the fingers penetrate deeper is because all power travels through a smaller surface than with a palm. Exactly the way why a cranebeak is more powerful than a fist. The smaller the surface with the same force applied, the greater the power that is generated. Thus the penetration is deeper because the amount more power makes it possible for the energy (li or qi) to travel deeper into the target. While with a general palm strike the energy scatters across the surface of the skin, making it red, alike a b*tchslap.
But keep in mind that it is easier to lead the qi through the chakra/qi cavity of the palm because it functions as an exit for qi rather than the fingers making it generally easier to strike the candle out with a palmstrike. Though fingerstrikes are more advanced/difficult, they also create more power/damage.