Monk/Brawler weapon/armor questions.Follow

I have heard that boiled leather armor are good up to like low 20ish, although at lev 19, I still cannot use it. As far as weaps go, I have heard of some monks using 2h blunt, some using player crafted battons, and such, but at later levs. As for me, I am using only one weapon, seems I do the same amount of damage with or without. The attribute modifiers on weapon is the key i think. I would stay away from 2h tho... although it seems our skills work regardless of weapon (ie. rapid swings).