Lost First Timer

[mjdx88]

If price is an issue go with a Mya QT or Bambino they are small but you cant go wrong or so I am told. Otherwise just go with any Mya or KM you like. I wish I started off with a KM I picked up my first and only hookah from Hookah-Shisha and I love it, its a nice piece but after seeing the KMs I cant help but want one. They are quite nice in my opinion and seem to be a much better quality.

Mike

[iron molly black]

If price is an issue go with a Mya QT or Bambino they are small but you cant go wrong or so I am told. Otherwise just go with any Mya or KM you like. I wish I started off with a KM I picked up my first and only hookah from Hookah-Shisha and I love it, its a nice piece but after seeing the KMs I cant help but want one. They are quite nice in my opinion and seem to be a much better quality.

Mike

My first hookah is a Mya Bambino and I find it to be very user-friendly for a beginner and it smokes great! I hear that the QT is good, too. I plan to use mine as a travel hookah when I upgrade. Once I smoke for a while I figure I will have a better idea as to what I want to spend some real money on.

[cypherkk]

I can second the jack o lantern hookah, though I got a traditional base with it instead of the Jack o lantern.

Other options include Mya's. You pretty much can't go wrong with them no matter how much you spend, if you strapped the bambino or something but I recommend those in the 120+ range. Try to get one between 18-28 inches. my first hookah was a mya 24 bohemian that I got from spencers back when they were selling them... if they were still selling them I'd get another. I still use it. I have 3 mya's so far and the jack o. and a KM.

Course thats a matter of preference but larger hookahs my require more effort to get smoking well. Smaller ones may burn or get harsh. I'd stay away from Kahli mamoun untill you get more experience. Although a normal egyptian is an excellent choice, I don't have one yet so I don't really want to put in an opinion on it.

[Bulldog_916]

First off, welcome to your new addiction....if not physically, then mentally. Now, on to matters at hand. As your first pipe, I would go with a relatively inexpensive Egyptian or Mya hookah. The Mya QT, Bambino, or even the Diva would be good places to start.

As far as Egyptians go, these may suit your fancy:

http://hookahcompany.com/sangria_red_genie_1931_prd1.htm

Small but it's very good quality, from what I've seen. Plus you can choose your base styling.

http://hookahcompany.com/sarhan_heavy_duty...h_2568_prd1.htm

Heavy stem, great base, overall very good hookah.

http://hookahcompany.com/ocean_blue_egypti...h_1928_prd1.htm

This is the winner overall for me. I own it, I love it. Absolutely perfect for what I use it for. Match it with a Mya Washable hose, it should keep you going for at least 4 months without having to replace it. Overall cost, about 38 dollars for both combined.

Then you want to choose coals. For QLs, you've gotten the universal opinions, 3 kings and Goldens. For naturals, buy a coil stove from Walgreens for 10 bucks, then get either Easylite Japanese coals, Exotica Natural coals, Natural Coconut coals from Hookah Company, Coconara coals from Hookah Shisha, or Golden Canary Japanese style coals. None of those should steer you wrong.

Shisha is a tricky pick. My base flavors that I would start with if I were you: Nakhla Sweet Melon, Layalina Blueberry, Eskandarani Apple Layalina, Fusion Raspberry Tobacco, and Al Waha Peach. This gives you a good cross section of the available stuff out there. Tangiers is a bit advanced for the beginner, so I would get these brands down pat first before you move to a more complicated tobacco.

This is a good starting place. I hope you enjoy the shopping.

[NUBBS]

My first 2 hookahs were little Chinese smoke shop specials and I still use em. I can get my little Zombie Pete to hit 10 times better then the hookah lounge. Huge clouds and an hour+ with the tiny bowl it came with.

All I have to say is, practice makes perfect.

[ilikemyusername]

wow, getting into the narghile by yourself.
good thing you have the forum to fall back on
i had a mentor, but all he wanted to smoke was nahkla
he moved to romania, but was able to tell me enough tips and tricks to have nahkla down pat!
any questions, let us know.

[crimsonkingjv]

So What do you guys think about that one? Has anyone had any experience with that one? Also what do you guys think about upgrading the bowl and the hoses (although with that one it comes with cobra head hoses which appear to be the best on the market right now so there would be no need to upgrade those hoses). Once again thanks everyone.

Edit: Also, I was told that most custom hookahs are crap because they use cheap parts, but what about the custom ones from sites like hookahhookah? I have heard people say that site is pretty good so would their customs be pretty good quality? Thanks. Edited May 13, 2008 by crimsonkingjv

[theotherone31415]

So What do you guys think about that one? Has anyone had any experience with that one? Also what do you guys think about upgrading the bowl and the hoses (although with that one it comes with cobra head hoses which appear to be the best on the market right now so there would be no need to upgrade those hoses). Once again thanks everyone.

Edit: Also, I was told that most custom hookahs are crap because they use cheap parts, but what about the custom ones from sites like hookahhookah? I have heard people say that site is pretty good so would their customs be pretty good quality? Thanks.

hey man, congrats on the new hookah.

my first REAL hookah (my 1st actual hookah was like a 10" no name that smoked like shit but i still love it cause it's my first) was a pharoah from Hookah-Shisha and the thing is pretty sweet. just yesterday i got a khalil mamoon Exotica from gothookahs.com and it kinda blows it out of the water, but the pharoah is still kickass. the nile from what i understand is just a smaller version. hookah-shisha is a great vendor too, i order from them a lot because of their RIDICULOUS selection. Still, their prices are a bit up there. I'd go with worldhookah.com (neal) or gothookah.com and got a khalil mamoon or a magdy zidan. the KMs, i now know, are amazing hookahs. and they're cheaper than hookah-shisha hookahs too. if you want the best hookah for the least money: QT or any of the very small Myas.

[crimsonkingjv]

Great, thank you. We want something good quality, but still affordable, but more than anything we want it to look really cool. So we were looking at a custom one from hookahhookah. What do you guys think of that? Thanks.

[DarkParade]

i'd get something from worldhookah. neal will set you up for being a first timer if you give him a call and let him know whats up

[cypherkk]

there is also the red sangria hookah at hookah company. It looks identical to the pumkin but is red, not yellow/orange.

[crimsonkingjv]

When we were at our local shop we were told to get an egyptian and stay away from the others because they were harder to find parts for. Is this true or can we open our search up to other styles of hookahs? What is the main difference between styles? And one other question if I may, at what point should I upgrade my hoses and bowls and such? Thanks everyone.

Edit:Cypher, could you post a link to the hookah you were talking about? I can't seem to find it on there. Also, I was curious where I could find information on what I've been hearing about on the forums. I guess you have to leave some brands of tobacco out to aclimate (sp?) or something like that, what is that all about and where can I get info on that? Thanks again. Edited May 14, 2008 by crimsonkingjv

[Bulldog_916]

There is a link in the post I put in.

http://hookahcompany.com/sangria_red_genie_1931_prd1.htm

This comes in a 22 and a 28 inch version. If you want a really cool look, the 28 inch is probably your good bet.

[crimsonkingjv]

Right on, thank you bulldog (happy birthday by the way). I was actually looking at that one. Can someone tell me the difference between the styles of hookahs? We were told by our local shop that egyptians are one of the only styles you will find parts for, is this true and how important is that? Thanks. Edited May 14, 2008 by crimsonkingjv

[SmokeyWhit]

Anyone ever tried the Rolland finger coals? Just bought some online so hopefully they're decent.

[Dereksd]

Anyone ever tried the Rolland finger coals? Just bought some online so hopefully they're decent.

i didnt like em.i dont like quicklights in general(never tried 3 kings) but i like easylights more like canarys

[OC4111]

those rollands are the probably the worst ones you can find. you're better or with 3 kings or golden if you're going with ql's. Best bet is to go with naturals (exoticas, coco naras)