Another fellow piper...yessss!!!
Try the newbie pipe thread if you're interested. There's a process but a little time and patience will pay off IMHO.
You should try it.....do you need some help down the slopes????
There's really not too much maintenance in the pipe. When you're done with the bowl, run a pipe cleaner (or a few) through it until it comes out clean. Sit it down to rest maybe minimum of 24 hours. Corn cob pipes you can smoke the hell out of them bowl after bowl and no rest in between. I've also done that with a few of my briar pipes, but I'm very cautious hoping not to ruin them. You don't need big fancy expensive pipes. Although, yes they're amazing and some are phenomenal smokers. If anything, estate pipes would be a good start to some briar pipes.
If anyone would like some guidance, I'll be glad to help out and point you guys in the right direction. Just as many other experienced pipe smokers here have helped me as well.