If you want the fazer to go vertical try a Webra 50 in it or a YS45. I have the webra 50 in mine and it hovers really well and will accerate right out of it. The YS45 will also make it go vertical. I have that motor in my Morris Mustang.
High Thrust servos?????? You mean High Torq servos? If so, yeah they are worth it!. On my fun fly planes I usually have my throws maxed out and as high as they go especially on the rudder and ailerons, the elevator you have to play around with it to get it dialed it so it will loop good enough without it snapping out. Mixing really helps, but what kind of radio do you have. Some radios have more options then others. I only have and use futaba and hitech.
For your knife use the same setup as I mentioned in it. The morris planes are a little heavier then the fazer.
You could also try higher nitro gas. I'm just working on 40% nitro fuel. I have all my funfly planes that have webra's or YS's in them now using 40% nitro. That much differerce from %15 that i used to use sure makes a different. My funfly planes are quicker and lots hotter then they used to be! Soon time to give it a try with the new "3D menace!!!"