A few noob SK questions

[johnstonm]

I recently just started this game and rolled a human SK. I realize an ogre or troll would have been significantly better, but as he is my first character, I wanted it to be relatively easier. I was reading the two SK guides on the P99 wiki, and I was wondering:

1) J.C. Smith's guide -http://wiki.project1999.com/J.C._Smith%27s_Shadowknight_Guide
It states that one should initiate the fight with their pet, cast DoTs on the target, and then let their pet die. I guess that one of the benefits to this is that the pet doesn't detract any of the experience away from you? Is it true that the pets take away experience from the player? If it is true, is it worth the mana/bone chips to summon a new pet every fight?
2) As a human SK, I decided I will run with a shield. I am only level 9 at this point but was able to save up enough to buy a cracked darkwood shield. I should have bought a weapon before the shield, but I couldn't make up my mind on what to get. I've read that the ebonwood cudgel is a good first weapon, but I saw a deadwood stave and thought it would be a nice weapon to have instead. I am looking for a lowbie weapon that is <100pp, but I might spend a bit more on it, if anyone had any suggestions (it doesn't have to be a 1HB). I just wanted a good weapon and shield before i start to fill out the rest of my equipment.

I would appreciate any and all advice, even if it's off-topic advice as this is my first character and it has been a long time since I played vanilla EQ.