Your First Hookah

[tj154906]

I have been reading all about the different brands and styles of hookah all over this forum. I never really realized that one could purchase a "brand name" hookah. Anyway, I thought it be cool if I made a thread where everyone posted pictures of their first hookahs, were they got them, and any cool stories associated with that. You coul also post how your first hookah compares to other hookahs you've since purchased. Here's mine.

It's origins are kinda cool. I smoke at this local hookah bar alot, and I've gotten to know the owners and managers. One of the managers is egyptian, and was going back to egypt for winter break. I'd smoked from his personal hookah before, and I liked it, so I asked him to pick one up for me while he was home. He did. I got a killer deal on it to. For 75 bucks I got the hookah, a mya washable hose, a carrying case, an extra clay bowl, tongs, a pack of 100 foils, a screen, 2 rolls of charcoal, and 2 50g boxes of Al-Waha. I felt pretty good about it.

I love the hookah. I feel like it smokes pretty well. It stands 32 inches tall and the base is hand painted. I also like the fact that it isn't a brand name hookah that everyone has.

[hookah hippie]

No picture but my buddy went on a trip to Isreal bought an $8 hookah smoked pretty well for a pretty cheap piece

[tj154906]

This thread didn't work out like I was hoping. If nothing else, has anyone ever seen or smoked out of a hookah identical (minus the handpainting) to mine? How was it. I'm just not sure that I have a good frame of reference.

[HookaholicDOTcom]

I got my first hookah from Kuwait back in 1998!
It was an Egyptian!!!!
Good Times

[ydnaHnairB]

i got my first hookah a month or 2 ago, a mya vortex. smokes like a dream, but i need to make some new hoses soon...

to the OP, i think i've seen some other people post hookahs similar to yours

[Akkbar]

the concept of 'brand name' hookahs is kinda new to me. most of the ones i was introduced to were hand made in lebanon by a family trying to support itself.

my friend has a syrian that looks a lot like that one. i know my mya orb hits better, but i prefer to smoke out of the 'non-brand name' hookahs for... sentimental reason i guess. I find i enjoy it more, because its a work of art and its nice to support the little guy.

[hookahlife]

Hey all,

The brand name hookah has been around for long. Brands like Mya (Chinese), Khalil Mamoun (Egyptian) and Nour (Syrian) are kind of a new creation as far as hookah goes, but they are popular because they have a reputation and are usually well respected for quality and beauty. Really a brand only becomes that way because one person/company made really good hookahs and people began to respect that. Khalil Mamoun just started out as an Egyptian guy making quality hookahs, and they were good enough to earn recognition (at least that’s how I have heard the story).

Just so you guys know, some Chinese hookahs, even though they are usually not branded online are made by some of the large tobacco manufacturers like Havana or Nakhla.

Now to my point...My first hookah ever was a huge Egyptian Rotator hookah (no pictures, but just like any other). I got it for my birthday because it was the only we all new to be good, as these are the ones most hookah bars used. We smoked out of it for a good 2.5 years and it would have lasted for more if I didn’t leave the vase full of milk and sit it outside in the summer heat for 2 weeks while on vacation. All the liquid molded and got into the glass cracks...ewww. Ahh, we all dearly miss old Squeaky. RIP 2004 - 2006, you will be remembered.

Regards,
Mike
Hookah Life

[lazria]

My first hookah was "Old E" - a 33" Eygptian hookah that we (bf and myself) bought off ebay for $28 (shipped). Reasoning behind the ultra cheap price = it was a "ulgy" hookah. The stem was coroaded, pited, and dented. The tray was slightly rusted and had a ding. The base jar's paint was HORRIBLE and it sat kind lop-sided. The base protector was flawed (coloring only), tongs where rusted, hose was unraveling, and clay bowl had a crack in it...

But, OMG did the thing it like a freaking champ! I had to look online to get more detailed instruction (I had smoked one a long time ago and had a general idea of how the thing worked) and even on the first go it worked wonderfully! Those were good days.

Unfornately, due to age and alot of hard use, plus it wasn't in the best condition when we got it, Old E is now a deorator piece, rather than a functional hookah. His stem (and yes, I tend to personify my things into he/she's) has several cracks, two are now leaking sand. If you try to remove it from teh base, it cracks in these places more. Plus, last time I tried to smoke thru it, it tasted HORRIBLE! I cleaned it twice, lemon juice and then vingear. Did't help.... I shall miss you old guy. I wish I could figure out WHO made this stem - I WOULD KILL to get another of them.

Old E : 2003-2007

May you Rust in Piece old friend.

http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?autom...=si&img=219

[tj154906]

"Old E" looks very similar to my hookah, 'cept it's blue.