If you can find a retail store that sells corn cobbs or even better a tobacconist that you can buy and ask his/her recommendations, that would be best. You don't need much to start pipe smoking, but it certainly takes more patience than cigars at the beginning. If you can't find a B&M, I'd recommend pipesandcigars.com. Get youself a Missouri Meerschaum corn cob, and maybe a little pipe tobacco sampler that sounds good to you.