All the monk weapons are badass visually when attacking.  However when using secrets (15-45 second self monk buffs) many attacks look the same but the attacks are all different looking graphically/animated when not using monk secrets which is just a programming laziness the attacks are still the correct dps.  I started using the bladed-staff about until my early teens, then i went to knuckles, handwraps, and/or ulaks because of the stats.  This was months ago so there could be more options for good weapons in the lower lvls now.  When i reached late 30's I went back to the bladed-staff because of the stats.  Atm the variety of monk weapon types for a high stat/high lvl weapon are very limited for monks 45+.  Use whatever has the best stats and what makes you put out the most dps although your skill lvl for that type of item also factors in towards your dps.  Keep your Dex and Str and maxxed.   I use the VG ui although drox is very nice the only reason i don't use it is because if fd fails the only way i know is from reading the chat box, combat music, and/or taking dmg still.  The default shows a little in/out of combat icon by your name so i stick with it.  Monks are mainly melee dps fighters good for grping not recommended for soloing.  Monks do not use energy/mana only endurance and jin.  The few self buffs available to monks require jin which does not recharge over time.  Meditate for 10seconds to build 1 jin then 4 seconds there after for 1 more and so on or use attacks that require endurance to use, in order to build jin.  Unfortunately there are no group buffs to give from dragon mastery monks.  If you find any items with +endurance regeneration they are your best friend; too often does endurance run out having to wait to attack.  Monks are more of a grp player rather than a soloing adventurer.  If you think you will be soloing for quests/xp you're better off with a different class.  I do not play on a pvp server although i have dueled many higher and lower lvl all classes and is fun.  Many try to root/stun/sleep and kite/range attack you but storm stride is a bonus for monks except for the longer than needed refresh time on it.  At lvl 10 you can buy a mount.  If you buy the 100buck vg u get a cloak if you don't want to pay 100bucks for a game like me you'll have to settle for fireworks and wait till around your 20's for your first cloak/cape.  Lvl 50 Dragon Monk is my main and only toon.  These are solely my opinions take em however you want.

I am still a relatively new monk just made 22.  At level 15 you get to choose which mastery style of monk you want to become .. Dragon, Harmonious, or Drunken.  I chose Drunken style at first, but did not feel it was for me.. I solo alot and did not feel drunken was the best for that. 

I went ahead and did the quests to re choose my style and went with Dragon style I have been dragon from only 19 to 22 but I am enjoying it better.  I have not tried the Harm style yet but many say it is good also.

Another weapon option you might want to check into is Martial Swords.  I am personally keeping my skills up in h2h, bladestaff, staff and martial sword.  So I can use whatever is best that I have available. 

Our animations where just updated and they actually look pretty good with all the diff weps.   As it stands right now most of the h2h weps don’t have any graphics, so ulaks and claws just look like bare hands.  I hope this will change some day.

These are just my newb opinions and you know the saying about opinions.