Just today I was watching Terminator 2 Judgement Day and I remembered a question that I had never asked on here: why does the T-1000 use a rod to pierce through the T-800's power cell instead of just forming sharp objects to jab at the T-800? In many of the scenes including the end, you see the T-1000 come within close range of the T-800. but he just merely fights hand to hand. What would happen and what would be disadvantageous, if the T-1000, used his knife like projections to beat down the T-800?
The question above is asked with understanding that certain events in the movie take place on James Cameron's call; however, would it be any different if the T-1000 battled in this way?