The staff was carried by monks and travellers throughout the world for many centuries. It is a natural weapon, being only a tree branch or trunk.

The bamboo staff is such an ideal weight; so light and yet flexible and firm.

In the UK it is legal to carry and use a walking stick as a person ages. An umbrella is an obvious alternative.

A sword is an offensive weapon. A staff is a defensive weapon.
How so?

A staff can serve many purposes: a prop, a walking stick, an aid when reach for things. It can also be used in combat.

A sword has only one purpose: to maim and/or kill.

Some people argue that staff and sword are interchangeable. This is not so.

Staff applications depend to some degree upon the length of the stick.
All staff can be used to poke or jab.
However, a long staff needs two hands to do this.

A short staff can strike in a very 'flicky'/sharp manner, but a long staff is too heavy and unwieldy for this.

A long staff can deliver a horizontal blow using the waist. A short staff lacks the necessary length or leverage to accomplish this.

A long staff is more akin to a spear or a pole. A short staff is like a whip.

Given that a sword can cut the flesh, it quite different to a staff. A sword pierces/stabs, slices and hacks. A staff does none of these.

The bamboo staff is a wonderful weapon to train with.
It is light-weight, strong and versatile.

It can be used single hand or double.

Measure the length according to your own height.
Saw the staff at navel-height.

Dress in bland, dull colours and outfits that do not draw any form of attention.
Avoid anything that catches the eye or makes you stand out.
Your aim is to be background, not foreground.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that enables freedom of movement, and footwear that allows for rapid, nimble footwork.

If you are seeking to train the sword, you may want to consider playing with very sharp knives for a while...

Practice moving with the blade.
Stick and slice and hack.

Now, ask yourself: could you honestly stick this in another living human being?
It the answer is no, then good.
You are sane, healthy and perhaps well-adjusted.

Reconsider your desire to train the sword. A sword is simply a very big knife.
If you are unwilling to stab somebody, put the weapon down.