Just to get back on topic here, I'd also suggest starting with spline modeling to achieve some of those shapes, like the lip on that cylinder.  You can create the profile as a spline, then extrude the shape, and tweak it as polys.

This also goes for many of those indented shapes in the surface. I would start with say a capsule, then remove half, make it planar, then use Shift-drag on the border to extend the polys, then make the border of that square.  Very easy way to achieve the indented parts.  If you want, I'll give you an illustrated example later.

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