Modern Vs. Traditional Hookah Designs

[Stealth]

So I decided to make this post after reading some of the comments in that medusa thread-

"damn.. thats a disgrace to the hookah culture."

"A hookah maybe, but definitely not a narguile."

"...I think they disgrace the hookah culture in general. hey don't even resemble a hookah."

I couldn't disagree more. Comments like this make me think of the way my grandfather thinks when he sees a Lamborghini. "That's not a car!" Sorry pops, just because it doesn't look like a Hyundai doesn't mean it's not a car. Some people think sports utilities vehicles are cars. Some people think the "smart" car is just a golf cart with doors.





I started smoking hookah freshman year of college. People my age are who I smoked with, and we smoked because we enjoyed it. I don't care where it comes from. Since I have started to build a collection of hookahs and got a Syrian to have as a traditional style hookah. That's the main reason I got it, to have one. While I do think it looks good it looks completely out of place in my room. It's not my style, I'm white. My stargate on the other hands looks amazing by itself and in this environment. Anatomically it is almost exactly the same as my Syrian.

Back to the Meduse hookahs- Saving you the trouble of having to go through there bullshit website, look at those things. Most people reference the wikipedia diagram to noobs who are wondering about hookahs, and as you can see, everything but the "plate," or tray is there. Unless you're telling me that a coal tray is the essence of any hookah, it's a hookah, and it's probably the nicest looking hookah I have ever seen. These make classic style hookahs look like those old Model T type cars, and while I know people love those things I'd rather die than be caught driving one.





A lot of people here seem to be interesting in making their smoke better, which makes total sense, so doesn't it make even more sense to try different designs in hookahs? I mean, I see these hookahs with massive ice buckets around there neck and bowls made out of ice. Now people seem to be really getting into the home depot hose thing. Those are disgraces. Look how ugly those are. Unless your hookah is made out of pvc and clear plastic with "1/2" ID 3/4" OD VINYLE TUBING ***" written all over it, it looks horrible. (yes, you may have seen my ikookah but that was just for fun, I would never market that, and I actually chose to go with clear tubing because it flowed with the design of the body.) Many of you may recall my "The Engine!" hookah. Not to toot my own horn but that thing is the shit. And unlike the meduse design ones it does not follow the tradition structure of the hookah. It's a different structure. An Improved structure. Is it a disgrace to the hookah culture? I guess that's up to you, but many people who have smoked it have said it's one of the best smokes they ever had.





I made this a separate post because I didn't want to distract from the purpose of the other thread in the case that an argument may ensue. But what do you all think? Do you genuinely like the traditional style hookahs or do you just want nothing to do with these abominations? Have you seen any other interesting designs (asthetics or functional, pictures please)?

[Estariol]

I have to say I tend to like the traditional, and intricate, hookah designs the best. I am the kind of guy who would choose an auston martin db-5 over a modern db-7.

In no way does that mean that a guy doesn't appreciate the more modern and even space-age type of hookah. They're really creative and pretty much awesome all over.

Creativity is everything, however it might be expressed.

[Teleute]

I love the modern designs. It might be because I am young, only half-Pakistani and totally Americanized, and sick of tradition (which I deal with enough as a Religious Studies major at UC Berkeley). The way I see it, with the hookah being introduced to a non-native environment, i.e. the U.S. and Europe, changes are going to occur and bring about innovation. Much of this is going to be aesthetic like the Stargate and other mod hookahs. In the case of the Medusa hookah, modified hose, diffusers, caffeinated shisha and the like, the form has actually changed and may have resulted in a better smoke. Tradition is great, we wouldn't have hookahs if tradition didn't keep the pipe popular but if things get better, no need to stick to the old.

That said, Syrians, Egyptians and other traditional hookahs offer a great smoke that can be hard to rival. Even if the Medusa and other newer model hookahs look great, I would absolutely want to smoke one first before I would ever buy one. Innovation can, and often does, fall flat on it's face.

BTW, what is that pretty little hookah in the middle of that last picture next to the stargate? Edited November 11, 2007 by Teleute

[Jshenrikson]

I wish the modern hookahs had something new to contribute besides just a space age design. I think the meduse hookahs might be on to something, not sure if it actually hits well or not. But I wish the mod hookah designs did more actually radical things. My friend made a hookah entirely out of clay and the bowl was on the side and the hose came out of the top, and it hit amazingly. Being modern for modern sake are like really bad hollywood films.

[RayVer]

its hard to find out if they smoke good because their priced so high its out of reach of most of us on here.

[Jshenrikson]

exactly, thus they are doing something wrong. For instance, a new medication isn't released unless its cheaper and works better than the older one. Same goes for this, if its 10x more expensive, there not going to have anyone's respect in the hookah world. Maybe some super rich people will get them because they have nothing else to spend there money on wisely. But its like if Donald Trump had a hookah, it probably wouldn't even hit, it'd just be for decoration.

[Stealth]

BTW, what is that pretty little hookah in the middle of that last picture next to the stargate?

I dunno, found it surfing for pics, heres the web adress i got it from:
http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/09/narguile_by_ned.php

I wish the modern hookahs had something new to contribute besides just a space age design. I think the meduse hookahs might be on to something, not sure if it actually hits well or not. But I wish the mod hookah designs did more actually radical things. My friend made a hookah entirely out of clay and the bowl was on the side and the hose came out of the top, and it hit amazingly. Being modern for modern sake are like really bad hollywood films.

Well, thats kind of my point, hookahs that break away from the traditional design are good. And i have to disagree with you on your "Being modern for modern sake are like really bad hollywood films." I dont understand what that can possibly mean. Everything that is made should be modern. Holding on to a design for traditions sake is acceptable but a majority of the designs should be modern. Keep in mind modern does not mean "space age."

Like Estariol said, I totally see why people like and will still buy the old style, like the DB-5, but how crazy would it be if they only made cars today that look like that. You cant say that an audi TT looks space aged, it just doesnt look like anything they made 20 years ago.

[Stealth]

exactly, thus they are doing something wrong. For instance, a new medication isn't released unless its cheaper and works better than the older one. Same goes for this, if its 10x more expensive, there not going to have anyone's respect in the hookah world. Maybe some super rich people will get them because they have nothing else to spend there money on wisely. But its like if Donald Trump had a hookah, it probably wouldn't even hit, it'd just be for decoration.

That is 100% false. The for instance as well. A new medication will be release IF it is cheaper OR works better than the other one. I dont know how long these guys have been around, but in there case i would guess they really NEED to sell those things for a higher price. They probably only put out about 1/10 of what the manufacturers of syrians or egyptions do. Now if someone does what taqseem did with the stargate, and take a $1k hookah and figure out a ways to mass produce it and bring down there own costs it will become cheeper. But not liking a design simply because they cant afford it is dumb. It's not like its price is that high because its design calls for it to be made out of solid gold. Its either you dont like the design or you do and wish that it could be made affordable.

[Teleute]

exactly, thus they are doing something wrong. For instance, a new medication isn't released unless its cheaper and works better than the older one. Same goes for this, if its 10x more expensive, there not going to have anyone's respect in the hookah world. Maybe some super rich people will get them because they have nothing else to spend there money on wisely. But its like if Donald Trump had a hookah, it probably wouldn't even hit, it'd just be for decoration.

That is 100% false. The for instance as well. A new medication will be release IF it is cheaper OR works better than the other one. I dont know how long these guys have been around, but in there case i would guess they really NEED to sell those things for a higher price. They probably only put out about 1/10 of what the manufacturers of syrians or egyptions do. Now if someone does what taqseem did with the stargate, and take a $1k hookah and figure out a ways to mass produce it and bring down there own costs it will become cheeper. But not liking a design simply because they cant afford it is dumb. It's not like its price is that high because its design calls for it to be made out of solid gold. Its either you dont like the design or you do and wish that it could be made affordable.

+1 to Stealth

Price is not an issue in appreciating art... just buying it.

[Estariol]

That said, Syrians, Egyptians and other traditional hookahs offer a great smoke that can be hard to rival. Even if the Medusa and other newer model hookahs look great, I would absolutely want to smoke one first before I would ever buy one. Innovation can, and often does, fall flat on it's face.

Innovation and evolution in hookahs and elsewhere relies on trial and error. Some, usually a minority, will be more appreciated and have certain advantages. The large majority will be crap and fade away. Trial and error is the main way change occurs.

Price is not an issue in appreciating art... just buying it.

+1. roflmao.

[Zildjian]

i love mod hookahs. hell id buy a stargate if the base was made better.i love traditional ones too. but regarding the meduses they are WAY too expensive and, althought im not sure of it, im guessing they arent going to smoke as well as a KM or a mya. thats my problem. They are pretty to look at, but not half a grand pretty.

[staygone]

About the vinyl hose crack, if you care about your looks, get a hose cover. Now you got a pretty hose that'll out perform anything in the field.

A hookahs a hookah wether it looks like a elephant, grenade, crane, or standard. The real question is does it smoke well.

-QM

[Cheese//]

I guess it all depends on one's personal preference.
If aesthetics are important to you then you'll probably buy a shiny, fancy hookah that you never plan on changing, unless it's to make it look better.
If you're concerned about performance then your hookah probably isn't gonna look all that attractive with all the mods you've put on it.
It will probably smoke better than a more expensive hookah but will obviously not look better.

It is possible to find an equilibrium between the two
but to invest in aesthetics is mostly more expensive than investing in performance.
So most people prefer to not busy themselves with how the hookah looks for two reasons:
1. They choose not to fork out so much money for a good-looking hookah.
2. They find it cheaper and more worthwhile to mod their hookahs performance.

Personally I prefer performance over aesthetics.
Because a hookah doesn't smoke well if it has a bunch of coloured liquid floating around.

[Jshenrikson]

I agree with Cheese and QuiltedMaple. I'm not talking about the "art" of a hookah, I'm talking about performance. I'd rather have a $.79 bic lighter that works than a $50 gold lighter that doesn't even work half the time (flints and fluid...). I'm really not going to go into this anymore though, maybe I'm just biased because I think the mod hookahs are ugly. I kind of like one of the meduse designs, but that red one that is kind of spiky is so hideous to me.

[ZenSilk]

Modern designs look good, but when buying modern, you risk shittiness.
I.E. the Stargate.

There's alot more parts in Modern hookahs that Egyptian hookahs do not have. You have to worry about those parts.
(Threads mainly). Edited November 11, 2007 by ZenSilk

[Dr. Atkins]

The real issue is that people, for the most part, have no taste. The majority of both traditional and modern hookahs out there look horrendous. The medusa in particular. That may qualify as the kitchiest, most offensive, nouveau riche coffee table furniture-style object I've ever seen. Anyone whose first reaction to seeing that was 'cool!' and not 'oh, the humanity' needs to take a crash course in aesthetics. Preferably into a stone wall.

[staygone]

Don't waste your breath trying to tell people that their taste sucks. You'll get winded very quickly.

I like the medusa, I think it's cool. Oh nos,

-QM Edited November 11, 2007 by QuiltedMaple

[kitefanatic]

The real issue is that people, for the most part, have no taste... Anyone whose first reaction to seeing that was 'cool!' and not 'oh, the humanity' needs to take a crash course in aesthetics. Preferably into a stone wall.

That's a pretty arrogant statement, don't you think? Personally, I think they have a very interesting aesthetic quality to them. Very reminiscent of H.R. Geiger, who happens to be a highly respected figure in the art world.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, but to ridicule others for theirs, reeks of elitism.

[Stealth]

About the vinyl hose crack, if you care about your looks, get a hose cover. Now you got a pretty hose that'll out perform anything in the field.

A hookahs a hookah wether it looks like a elephant, grenade, crane, or standard. The real question is does it smoke well.

-QM

I would like to see one home depot hose that looks good on its hookah. It would probably look even more tacky with a hose cover on and some threaded pvc sticking out the end. My namor performs just as good as my home made hose, and it would be super easy for someone to start making hoses that looks good but share the characteristics of the home depot hose on the inside. I bet those hoses on the medusas dont have that whole metal coil and leather thing going on. They look like there just tubing but with an amazing looking finish. Take for example my engine hookah again. Originally i knew i could just go to home depot and make a hose, because standard hookah hoses simply would not work with this hookahs looks. Vinyl tubing looked like shit on it though, so i found an alternative, braided steel. Then I painted the pipeing that i used for the handles. It compliments the hookah perfectly. It was not about art or anything. It was comeing up with a design and making it look good.

Modern designs look good, but when buying modern, you risk shittiness.
I.E. the Stargate.

There's alot more parts in Modern hookahs that Egyptian hookahs do not have. You have to worry about those parts.
(Threads mainly).

You risk shitness with any hookah. The stargate is one example and it has one design flaw, otherwise It is built way better than a majority of the other hookahs i have seen. Despite what many believe, just because somethings hand made does not make it lower quality than something that is machine made. Also my stargate has less parts than my syrian, and the meduses appear to have WAY less parts than both.

The real issue is that people, for the most part, have no taste. The majority of both traditional and modern hookahs out there look horrendous. The medusa in particular. That may qualify as the kitchiest, most offensive, nouveau riche coffee table furniture-style object I've ever seen. Anyone whose first reaction to seeing that was 'cool!' and not 'oh, the humanity' needs to take a crash course in aesthetics. Preferably into a stone wall.

I tried my best to make it clear in my original post that i understand some people like a style even if I think it looks like shit. Why? because i didnt want to sound like a retard. And nobody needs to take an aesthetics class to know what they think looks good, they're for knowing how to design things people will think looks good, and I bet the designers of the meduse pipe took that class. Edited November 12, 2007 by Stealth

[staygone]

Your nammor hose prolly does perform as good as a home depot hose, just at 400% the cost and at a "set" length. Find me a 20 foot nammor hose for 5 dollars and I'm game.

I don't know about your home depot hose, but on mine the actual mya mouth/end pieces are on it, the hose cover covers up the vinyl hose. It doesn't have anything exposed that would halter the good looks of whatever hookah you use.

-QM

[Stealth]

Your nammor hose prolly does perform as good as a home depot hose, just at 400% the cost and at a "set" length. Find me a 20 foot nammor hose for 5 dollars and I'm game.

I don't know about your home depot hose, but on mine the actual mya mouth/end pieces are on it, the hose cover covers up the vinyl hose. It doesn't have anything exposed that would halter the good looks of whatever hookah you use.

-QM

Good for you to make the effort to make yours look good, but I would rather pay more (actually closer to 600%) to save myself the trouble. And are you then factoring in the hose cover and I assume you had to destroy a hose you paid for to get the pieces?

Everyone keeps going back to money. Heres another question I have. Mya has a lot of there hookahs that look very similar in a crystal and a glass version. Do you think that no one buys those? Some go even as high as $1250. They look more like traditional hookahs than mod. But seems to me that the general concensus is that only the SUPER rich would ever buy one of these and he would only buy it as a sort of trophy. Edited November 12, 2007 by Stealth

[ZenSilk]

If you like the look of odern hookahs, get one. If you like the look of more traditional hookahs, get one.
It's just like picking out paint. Some people may like neon green in the bathroom, others may like baby blue, it's a preference thing, and not worth the arguing at all. (Well, paint can make or break a room, so it's good to have a debate over paint).

There are so many different styles, sizes and colors of hookahs so everyone can get exactly what they want.

I liked modern hookahs at first, then leaned more toward rotators, then egyptians, and now i love the look of Syrians becaue they seem the most elegant to me. Yes, i like the feel of elegance when i'm bringing in the hookah from my car and there's a huge flow of "Ooooooo's" and "Awwwwwwww's!!!".

I like royal blue, and i love gold, and i love artistic base designs. That's what i like. I prefer quality and durability over all else.

[HookahReviews]

I am in the school of thought that a more traditional hookah is better. I think that one of the most fun parts about smoking shisha is the fact that you are getting to experience a little bit of culture with it. I think that smoking a completeley modernized hookah takes alot away from the experience. I know that alot of people here would agree with me, and alot would disagree, but I think that your missing out if you completeley disregard the rich culture that comes with the hookah.

[Xeft]

Out of all honesty. I can say I absolutely love Modern designs. Anything SciFi or (outer space) per say, is just amazing.

[PirateNinja415]

i love the look of traditional hookahs, especially the Syrian ones that H-S carries. I don't feel opposed to mod hookahs, but i'd rather buy a tradtional on over a mod one