Depends on how you look at it, I guess. It's probably not for practical reasons; the weapon itself doesn't seem to be made for combat. Notice the little rod attached to the lower-left of the head? Seems decorative, and it would likely come off if the weapon was used...
hahah you are quite wrong there my friend, anything can become weapon in the hands of the knowing, be it staff, spear, chair, table, or just a bunch of shit
If I may make a notable point: you can blind someone just as easily with a pencil as with a knife. But yes, why use the staff when you have a better long-range weapon (say a gun) in hand.