One or more aspects of the present invention relate to a linear shaped charge comprising an explosive element, a liner, a face for application to a target object and a space between the liner and the face, the liner being arranged for projection through the space, towards the face, when the explosive element is detonated, and the explosive element and the liner having a V-shaped cross section, the liner lying in a groove of the V-shaped cross section of the explosive element, the liner having a length L of a side furthest from the face and the liner having a thickness T taken perpendicular to said length L, wherein an angle α of an apex of the liner nearest the face is 101.5 to 106.5 degrees, and a stand-off distance SD between the face and a point of the liner nearest the face is 0.99 S to 1.21 S, S being a distance, parallel the stand-off distance SD, between the point of the liner nearest the face and the apex of the liner nearest the face.