Getting A Hookah, First Timer

[ApacheChief]

I've smoked out of a hookah twice before, and I'd like to start off with a 4 hose one.

How much should I spend? The hookah will be on the end of a dock at my buddy's cabin, so it needs to be pretty stable after we all take a pull and fall backwards into the water

Also, my friend recommended "ball bearings" in the hoses, so we don't have to have our thumbs on them the whole time.

EDIT:
I see a bunch of ones on ebay for semi-cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/25-4-Hoses-Blue-Vase-T...1QQcmdZViewItem

Or this extremely cheap one (no mention of ball bearing hoses):
http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Brass-Hookah-Sisha-...7QQcmdZViewItem Edited March 8, 2008 by ApacheChief

[PhishPhood]

Any decent hookah will have teh bearings in it like that.

First off, how many of you are there... 4 hoses never work as well as you expect.

Also, whats your budget? We can find you an amazing hookah for $400 but I doubt you wanna spend that haha..

Let us know the answers to those and we'll find you some good stuff

[ApacheChief]

Any decent hookah will have teh bearings in it like that.

First off, how many of you are there... 4 hoses never work as well as you expect.

Also, whats your budget? We can find you an amazing hookah for $400 but I doubt you wanna spend that haha..

Let us know the answers to those and we'll find you some good stuff

Thanks for the _very_ fast reply!

I'm looking to spend ~$100-125, ideally. What's wrong with 4 hoses? It's kind of a dream of mine to do the "pull and fall backwards into the lake" thing--don't want to leave anyone out with a 2 or 3 hose one.

[Canon]

2nd hookah can be bought cheaper then ebay, and its not meant to be smoked imo.
http://www.antikagifts.com/product/Decorat...ookah_1892.aspx

as far as leaving people out, most of the hookah culture is passing the hose, its more about being social then smoking. you can always pass the hose..

how many people do you plan on smoking with?

[ApacheChief]

how many people do you plan on smoking with?

4 people, including myself.

[ApacheChief]

Ah! That's a pretty great idea, buying 2x 2 hose hookahs--brilliant!

I'll definitely consider that, I can probably go hookah shopping locally again, then; no one around here had a 4 hose for under $200.

What should I look for in a 2 hoser?

[PhishPhood]

If you're buying locally make sure the base is nice thick glass. You also want a nice solid stem. Check and make sure the bottom is sturdy enough not to be easilly pulled over.

Make sure the hookah is air-tight. You do this by putting the bowl on and covering it tightly with your hand (obviously with nothing in it) and pull on the hose. If you can easily pull through it there is a leak, and its not the hookah for you... Or atleast get some new grommits outa the guy to make it air-tight.

Make sure there are the small bearings inside the hose ports like you said earlier so you dont have to cover the hose end with your thumb.

Other than that, pick on looks, everyone has their own tastes.

Make sure to post pics when you get the new hookah(s)

[erufiku]

2 x 2 MYA QT (the two hose version)?
I mean if you want it to be stable, I'd think it would need to be rather short.

edit: personally, I'd just get it online. Cheaper prices, and applying the forum discount will probably cover the shipping costs. Edited March 8, 2008 by erufiku