Talking about this:http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special -abilities/sharding
DESCRIPTION
Restriction This ability can be placed only on melee or thrown weapons.
The wielder of a sharding weapon can make a special ranged attack with the weapon in place of any melee attack. To do this, the wielder goes through the motion of throwing the weapon without releasing it. The weapon splits off a duplicate of itself that flies as if thrown by the wielder at the intended target. The duplicate gains a range increment of 10 feet for this purpose, but uses the same proficiency and otherwise functions the same as the original weapon. The duplicate vanishes after hitting or missing its target.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Cost +2 bonus; Feats Craft Magic Arms and Armor; Spells major creation
From the PC: Weapon Master's Handbook
Now, my question is: Would Sharding enable an Investigator to apply Studied Combat/Strike to a ranged attack without Ranged Study? It uses a melee weapon that never leaves your hand...
The wielder of a sharding weapon can make a special ranged attack with the weapon in place of any melee attack.
The weapon splits off a duplicate of itself that flies as if thrown by the wielder at the intended target.
I added the bolding, I think it pretty clearly says it works as a thrown weapon attack that avoids being a novel method of disarming oneself.
EDIT:
I should point out that since Melee weapons have higher crit chances and multipliers than weapons designed to be thrown (game design, not RW) this is actually a pretty darn good effect.
Ah, thanks for helping clarify that folks. Too bad, but I see plenty of reason for you to be correct.
Daw, I had this flash through my mind "Porthios has found a way to disarm himself"...