sorrowofwind: I think monk using a 2handed weapon with reach would be stronger in early to mid levels since there are no items that can make monk's unarmed strikes agile (you'd need to take 4 level of rogue), and with power attack 2 handed weapon will stand at advantage for a while.
Weapons in this game also seem to have high enhancements than monk gears. So far I've gotten a +1 to unarmed strike amulet while melee weapons are at +2 with several enhancements +1d6 electricity damage, +1d6 cold damage, and with freedom of movements, for example. Although not all melee weapons get the same treatment, so far heavy mace and longsword have the lead. No good monk weapons at sight. :(
Well longswords maces and shortswords and the most "Common" weapons so they are usually the most common magic ones
like I said weapons give better to hit chances from enhancement and often have special damage monk+high dex+finess+one of the dex damage feats "there are several'=godly AC and frightning damage