Part 2, The State Of Hookah Industry

[Sonthert]

I talked at length with George Egho at TheHookah.com and I wanted to let you guys know what his opinions were on the market (I am an NOT an exclusive tool of George @ Hookah Company )

He believes that Khalil Maamons are still of excellent quality, there have been some design changes and some variances in the quality, as is to be expected with any handmade product. He agreed that some changes weren't for the better, but they were still one of the best quality hookahs from Egypt. I would go further to say that, in my opinion, KMs are the best quality Egyptian hookahs on the common U.S. market. Tri-metals are fabulous, and have remained unchanged even though changes have gone through the cheaper models. He is of the opposite opinion as George at HookahCompany, he says the quality of all the stuff coming from KM is going to be more or less the same.

George Egho is going to send me samples of his new KM stuff for me to review, so I'll let you know what I think.

[mushrat]

I talked at length with George Egho at TheHookah.com and I wanted to let you guys know what his opinions were on the market (I am an NOT an exclusive tool of George @ Hookah Company )

He believes that Khalil Maamons are still of excellent quality, there have been some design changes and some variances in the quality, as is to be expected with any handmade product. He agreed that some changes weren't for the better, but they were still one of the best quality hookahs from Egypt. I would go further to say that, in my opinion, KMs are the best quality Egyptian hookahs on the common U.S. market. Tri-metals are fabulous, and have remained unchanged even though changes have gone through the cheaper models. He is of the opposite opinion as George at HookahCompany, he says the quality of all the stuff coming from KM is going to be more or less the same.

George Egho is going to send me samples of his new KM stuff for me to review, so I'll let you know what I think.

you think km's are better than MZ's?

[moses_moselle]

I see you benefited from my post. : )

Well. i was hoping i was going to get a half priced hookah from him, since i did start the thread( im still waiting for a response), but regardless good luck with your KM's and Congrats....also let us know how they are!

[MechAnt]

It's great to hear differing opinions and what they have to offer. It gives a deeper look into the industry and the changes it's going through.

I still wonder if KM is really still better than MZ. I handle MZ's more than KM's and I still love them like when I first did. KM's, I see quality variation from pipe to pipe and that doesn't make me too happy

[Sonthert]

I talked at length with George Egho at TheHookah.com and I wanted to let you guys know what his opinions were on the market (I am an NOT an exclusive tool of George @ Hookah Company )

He believes that Khalil Maamons are still of excellent quality, there have been some design changes and some variances in the quality, as is to be expected with any handmade product. He agreed that some changes weren't for the better, but they were still one of the best quality hookahs from Egypt. I would go further to say that, in my opinion, KMs are the best quality Egyptian hookahs on the common U.S. market. Tri-metals are fabulous, and have remained unchanged even though changes have gone through the cheaper models. He is of the opposite opinion as George at HookahCompany, he says the quality of all the stuff coming from KM is going to be more or less the same.

George Egho is going to send me samples of his new KM stuff for me to review, so I'll let you know what I think.

you think km's are better than MZ's?

Dollar for dollar, I like KMs better, from what I've seen. The MZs are certainly slicker and shinier and more consistent, but I think the KMs are more solid, especially the tri-metals. I have only seen a few MZs recently, but based on the ones I've seen.

[mattarios2]

I just stick to the more known and mixed metal KM's and they have all been amazing. My Tri-metal and Mash'al are both bullet proof, very solid rigs.

[Voski]

I had a look at the KMs at thehookah they all looked good. He said a lot of people were picking up the multi hose pears.

[Tom1]

It's great to hear differing opinions and what they have to offer. It gives a deeper look into the industry and the changes it's going through.

Yea but when that opinion is from a vendor it's heavily biased. It's not good business sense to have anything bad to say about one of the main reasons people visit your online shop...

[newjacksm]

Yeah I love KM's but I cant see my self dropping 120 bucks on a KM and not knowing what I might be getting... a good or a bad pipe? It's like playing Russian roulette with your money... If the prices go back down I may pick up another KM in the future. Edited March 19, 2009 by newjacksm

[Click]

Yea the KM tri-metals are certainly beasts.  Have never heard of any body having any problems with them.  

[SuburbanSmoker]

Yea the KM tri-metals are certainly beasts. Have never heard of any body having any problems with them.

+1

Any of the multi-metal stems seem to be pretty damn strong. They also look gorgeous.

[MechAnt]

I <3 my tri-metal as well. Probably the best quality and most solid, let alone KM, pipe I've ever handled.

[FactorE]

its too risky to pay over 1 bill for something that could be lesser quality.. i agree to waiting...

[Voski]

its too risky to pay over 1 bill for something that could be lesser quality.. i agree to waiting...

Too bad KMs aren't even supposed to cost that much anywhere.

[Sonthert]

It's great to hear differing opinions and what they have to offer. It gives a deeper look into the industry and the changes it's going through.

Yea but when that opinion is from a vendor it's heavily biased. It's not good business sense to have anything bad to say about one of the main reasons people visit your online shop...

Each vendor is going to have different opinions. George Egho, of course, believes in KMs and MZs for Egyptians, Goerge Jonson doesn't stock anywhere the amount of MZs. Sometimes its a matter of wholesale connections, one guy might get better prices on XYZ Brand pipes, so he stocks them extensively, where another guy doesn't get as good a deal so stocks far fewer of a brand. For a certain price, any retailer has to decide if they they feel the item is worth the price or not.

KMs vary in price, Voski, with shipping and customs, their prices are usually $8 higher than the cost in Egypt. That being said, I don't think KMs are that unreasonably priced, for what you are getting. I have criticisms, sure, as far as Egyptian stuff goes, I think its a fair deal.

[redjako]

Yeah I love KM's but I cant see my self dropping 120 bucks on a KM and not knowing what I might be getting... a good or a bad pipe? It's like playing Russian roulette with your money... If the prices go back down I may pick up another KM in the future.

Medium mya's get up to 130 starting anyways, I'm sold on getting a trimetal in the future due to this forum

Thx for the update, as I've also been concerned about the recent poor quality threads, so your reviews will help a lot.

[Voski]

It's great to hear differing opinions and what they have to offer. It gives a deeper look into the industry and the changes it's going through.

Yea but when that opinion is from a vendor it's heavily biased. It's not good business sense to have anything bad to say about one of the main reasons people visit your online shop...

Each vendor is going to have different opinions. George Egho, of course, believes in KMs and MZs for Egyptians, Goerge Jonson doesn't stock anywhere the amount of MZs. Sometimes its a matter of wholesale connections, one guy might get better prices on XYZ Brand pipes, so he stocks them extensively, where another guy doesn't get as good a deal so stocks far fewer of a brand. For a certain price, any retailer has to decide if they they feel the item is worth the price or not.

KMs vary in price, Voski, with shipping and customs, their prices are usually $8 higher than the cost in Egypt. That being said, I don't think KMs are that unreasonably priced, for what you are getting. I have criticisms, sure, as far as Egyptian stuff goes, I think its a fair deal.

Well weren't they readily available for ~$50. My dads friend can get KM Pear hookahs for $50 each maybe these are the wholesale price I am not sure. But I have my eye on the new AF hookah oh how badly I want it.

[Rani]

Yeah I love KM's but I cant see my self dropping 120 bucks on a KM and not knowing what I might be getting... a good or a bad pipe? It's like playing Russian roulette with your money... If the prices go back down I may pick up another KM in the future.

Medium mya's get up to 130 starting anyways, I'm sold on getting a trimetal in the future due to this forum

Thx for the update, as I've also been concerned about the recent poor quality threads, so your reviews will help a lot.

I keep hearing about recent batches of poor quality but I own 4 KMs, from an original tri-metal which I'm smoking right now to a 40" Exotica. The other two are an ice model and a blue single pear. All 4 smoke flawlessly. However, I will say that though I bought the tri-metal from HC, the other 3 came directly from an Orange County (Golden Crown) smoke shop that imports them personally. They're Egyptian and have family there so they visit and personally inspect every pipe they bring in, so their quality may be higher than a simple container imported from a warehouse.

'Rani

[hookah hippie]

I have done a lot of business with George at thehookah and we talk about the quality of KMs quite often

[Tom1]

Each vendor is going to have different opinions. George Egho, of course, believes in KMs and MZs for Egyptians, Goerge Jonson doesn't stock anywhere the amount of MZs. Sometimes its a matter of wholesale connections, one guy might get better prices on XYZ Brand pipes, so he stocks them extensively, where another guy doesn't get as good a deal so stocks far fewer of a brand. For a certain price, any retailer has to decide if they they feel the item is worth the price or not.

I wasn't talking about the price. I'm saying that since KM's in general are still in high demand, of course thehookah will sing it's praises whether the quality is there or not. Not to harp on thehookah, I would expect it of any vendor. Maybe not the be intentionally deceitful and just flat out lie, but rather not point out flaws whatever they may be.

[cypherkk]

I've ordered a lot of stuff from george ala Hookahcompany. All I got to say is if he ins't happy with KM's and dropping them, I know he isn't happy with Mya whats he gonna sell? Those cutrate skull hookahs and knock offs? well We'll have to see I suppose. Maybe its time a new manufacturer came in with high quality products. Edited March 20, 2009 by cypherkk

[ilikemyusername]

I've ordered a lot of stuff from george ala Hookahcompany. All I got to say is if he ins't happy with KM's and dropping them, I know he isn't happy with Mya whats he gonna sell? Those cutrate skull hookahs and knock offs? well We'll have to see I suppose. Maybe its time a new manufacturer came in with high quality products.

yeah, like MZ has been doing all along!
sorry, i had to throw that in there, i know i'm on a forum that seemingly only believes in KM or MYA.

MZ ftw.

[EternalSoil]

... Maybe its time a new manufacturer came in with high quality products.

Look!

I haven't made any progress on making Tangiers shanks, but it is still high on my priority list.

WIN!

[joytron]

i love these little updates, its good to know whats going on in the hookah world.

[Sonthert]

I've ordered a lot of stuff from george ala Hookahcompany. All I got to say is if he ins't happy with KM's and dropping them, I know he isn't happy with Mya whats he gonna sell? Those cutrate skull hookahs and knock offs? well We'll have to see I suppose. Maybe its time a new manufacturer came in with high quality products.

I'm sitting here with Jonson right now! He says thats not true at all...he is waiting on a container mostly made up of KMs and Egyptian pipes from a supplier for KM. He's also hitting the wholesale street and buying other KM stuff from other vendors.

Luke: Any vendor will agree there are weaknesses in a particular line of hookahs. If the flaw is common to all hookahs, they tend to not mention it, since you can't really avoid it, like the quality of trays declining across the board pretty much. The question is is it worth the price the units are offered for? Certainly a retailer may try to sell products that have common or specific problems...fortunately there's a hookah forum people can log on to to find out what those problems are, independent of the possibility of the retailer's bias. Forum I won't necessarily agree that it universally exists, so I think we can agree to disagree.