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All Egyptian Stems Are Not Equal


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So I stopped by HookahCompany's warehouse in SD. Everyone there was very nice. George is the man.

I picked up two hookahs as gifts for my buddies. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Anyways, I was mixing and matching bases with down stems to come up with just the right hookah for my friends, and in the process compared all sorts of different stems from different manufacturers. Online, these stems look alot alike. But, up close, on a side-by-side comparison, most are night and day as far as quality. The crappy ones are really crappy and you can tell in 1 second from looking at it in comparison to another one. From the materials, to the welding, to the holes at the botom for the smoke, to the metal valve that your hose fits into -- you really get what you pay for. It was eye-opening to me at least as I have not a had a chance to compare alot of hookahs.

I now understand why the Khail's are more expensive. Better material, better welding, wider holes at the bottom.

Long story short, if I ever buy a non-namebrand egyptian hookah online, I'll be calling the place first to discuss the manufacturer of the stem and get their honest opinion on it.
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I agree 100% I got rid of a Hookah-Shisha stem because it was poo, and replaced it with a Social Smoke stem that was perfect. They look identical online, but man does the quality vary when they show up at your door.
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Whoa...I wanna visit hookahcompany's warehouse! Glad to know you can tell KM quality just by looking at them. Really looking forward to getting mine.
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Yes, yes it would be. Only problem is, I have NEVER seen a hookah made of stainless steel. I have seen a lot of hookahs that were made with what was called stainless steel, but it was really just steel.

And, no, if the price of brass was still low, all hookahs would still be made of brass or brass cores, like they were 5 years ago.

Hey, Smokeup-man...I told you...you gotta check them...right? Big difference, isn't there?
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QUOTE (smokeup @ Jul 23 2007, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I stopped by HookahCompany's warehouse in SD. Everyone there was very nice. George is the man.

I picked up two hookahs as gifts for my buddies. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Anyways, I was mixing and matching bases with down stems to come up with just the right hookah for my friends, and in the process compared all sorts of different stems from different manufacturers. Online, these stems look alot alike. But, up close, on a side-by-side comparison, most are night and day as far as quality. The crappy ones are really crappy and you can tell in 1 second from looking at it in comparison to another one. From the materials, to the welding, to the holes at the botom for the smoke, to the metal valve that your hose fits into -- you really get what you pay for. It was eye-opening to me at least as I have not a had a chance to compare alot of hookahs.

I now understand why the Khail's are more expensive. Better material, better welding, wider holes at the bottom.

Long story short, if I ever buy a non-namebrand egyptian hookah online, I'll be calling the place first to discuss the manufacturer of the stem and get their honest opinion on it.



In SD???? Please tell me that's San Diego and not South Dakota? San Diego is a hour away from me. Well worth the trip for a truly custom hookah. South Dakota would be a bit far............ Unless of course the call rings out across the forum from California............ROADTRIP!!!!!

'Rani
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QUOTE (BohoWildChild @ Jul 23 2007, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (smokeup @ Jul 23 2007, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I stopped by HookahCompany's warehouse in SD. Everyone there was very nice. George is the man.

I picked up two hookahs as gifts for my buddies. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Anyways, I was mixing and matching bases with down stems to come up with just the right hookah for my friends, and in the process compared all sorts of different stems from different manufacturers. Online, these stems look alot alike. But, up close, on a side-by-side comparison, most are night and day as far as quality. The crappy ones are really crappy and you can tell in 1 second from looking at it in comparison to another one. From the materials, to the welding, to the holes at the botom for the smoke, to the metal valve that your hose fits into -- you really get what you pay for. It was eye-opening to me at least as I have not a had a chance to compare alot of hookahs.

I now understand why the Khail's are more expensive. Better material, better welding, wider holes at the bottom.

Long story short, if I ever buy a non-namebrand egyptian hookah online, I'll be calling the place first to discuss the manufacturer of the stem and get their honest opinion on it.



In SD???? Please tell me that's San Diego and not South Dakota? San Diego is a hour away from me. Well worth the trip for a truly custom hookah. South Dakota would be a bit far............ Unless of course the call rings out across the forum from California............ROADTRIP!!!!!

'Rani


Yes, in San Diego. In Encinitas actually. Call them for directions or get the address online and map quest it.
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QUOTE (Sonthert @ Jul 23 2007, 06:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>


Yes, yes it would be. Only problem is, I have NEVER seen a hookah made of stainless steel. I have seen a lot of hookahs that were made with what was called stainless steel, but it was really just steel.

And, no, if the price of brass was still low, all hookahs would still be made of brass or brass cores, like they were 5 years ago.

Hey, Smokeup-man...I told you...you gotta check them...right? Big difference, isn't there?


Ya, you were right. The guy at hookah company said the same thing about brass cores as well. I guess the price of Brass in general has been going up lately. And I can confrim that what people often say is "stainless steel" is not really stainless steel (which is actually fairly expensive for the real thing). You may notice that the same problem exists with knife sets. The cheap knife set at Target that says its stainless steel (but made in china) will still start to rust after 3 times through the dishwasher.
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QUOTE (smokeup @ Jul 23 2007, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (BohoWildChild @ Jul 23 2007, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (smokeup @ Jul 23 2007, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I stopped by HookahCompany's warehouse in SD. Everyone there was very nice. George is the man.

I picked up two hookahs as gifts for my buddies. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Anyways, I was mixing and matching bases with down stems to come up with just the right hookah for my friends, and in the process compared all sorts of different stems from different manufacturers. Online, these stems look alot alike. But, up close, on a side-by-side comparison, most are night and day as far as quality. The crappy ones are really crappy and you can tell in 1 second from looking at it in comparison to another one. From the materials, to the welding, to the holes at the botom for the smoke, to the metal valve that your hose fits into -- you really get what you pay for. It was eye-opening to me at least as I have not a had a chance to compare alot of hookahs.

I now understand why the Khail's are more expensive. Better material, better welding, wider holes at the bottom.

Long story short, if I ever buy a non-namebrand egyptian hookah online, I'll be calling the place first to discuss the manufacturer of the stem and get their honest opinion on it.



In SD???? Please tell me that's San Diego and not South Dakota? San Diego is a hour away from me. Well worth the trip for a truly custom hookah. South Dakota would be a bit far............ Unless of course the call rings out across the forum from California............ROADTRIP!!!!!

'Rani


Yes, in San Diego. In Encinitas actually. Call them for directions or get the address online and map quest it.



Man am I lucky or what, thats like a 20 miniute ride for me, Ill have to make a visit to them for a new hookah! tongue.gif
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QUOTE (Sonthert @ Jul 24 2007, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>


He charges full retail there, maybe 10% off. He may have more of a selection than the website, but its multiples of the same items.



Hookah Company will honor the Hookah Forum 15% discount if you buy in person and want to use your credit card. I would bring cash though and you can do better.
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QUOTE (Ocrap @ Jul 24 2007, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sambookamax @ Jul 24 2007, 06:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've said it before, I absolutely love my Khalil Mamoon! VERY nice stem, brass core, smokes great! it is a little crooked but I can look past that.


Which one do you have? Got any pics?


Sorry, It was the 28" Amer Khalil Mamoon, great hookah. I love mine! Got it from Hookah Company
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QUOTE (smokeup @ Jul 25 2007, 01:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sonthert @ Jul 24 2007, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>


He charges full retail there, maybe 10% off. He may have more of a selection than the website, but its multiples of the same items.



Hookah Company will honor the Hookah Forum 15% discount if you buy in person and want to use your credit card. I would bring cash though and you can do better.


I was under the impression that the Hookah Forum Discount was only for Tangiers and Bohemian Jar hookahs. It might have changed.
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