Some Expert Help Please :d

[Wagner2k9]

Well all hookah lovers out there im relatively new to the forum was just reading several threads about whats best to buy and where but there is so many choices :S

I recently baught some cheep hookah for 30 euro from the market and some nakhla tobacco (mango and mint) there alright nothing amazing i guess couldnt taste much flavor then my friend baught some strong ones with smoking kills on it dont know what make it was i couldnt find it online in any of the hookah shops I had bannana and apple both disgusting.

So now my question is what hookah (and pipes) would you guys suggest and were from (i live in spain so international shipping i guess).
Then what tobacco to get im looking for something with a good flavor and a strong buzz i read that tangiers are quite good give me some good brands and flavors. Finally i dont know if coal really matters but if it does please state some you would recommend.

Please tell me which shop and maybe link me to them seing after reading some other reviews i couldnt find the reviewed items :S

Edit: Price range not too expensive but im willing to pay a good price if the quality is good. Just saying dont like me some 600 dollar hookah xD

Thanks in advance <3 Edited June 23, 2009 by Wagner2k9

[momatik]

For Nakhla I suggest you open up the package and spread the shisha out and expose it to the air for a while (overnight to 24 hrs should do the trick). This will improve the smoke quality as well as the flavor.

Coal is extremely important. If you want a really good smoking experience, you have to go natural. I wouldn't suggest buying coals from the US because shipping could get extremely pricey. Look for natural wood coals or coconut coals sold locally. They take longer to light, but it makes a world of difference.

[evilded777]

I don't want to recommend stores, but I will recommend some hookah brands and shisha.

Shisha: Nahkla is actually a good brand, so maybe its the hookah or coals; Tangiers is not for everyone, not that I would want to discourage anyone from trying it, but you may want to get your feet wet elsewhere first; Al Fakher, mostly good stuff, pretty beginner friendly; Fantasia/Starbuzz/Romman, et al: ok stuff, what I consider designer shisha... its pricey and comes in flashy packaging, but not as good as some of the more traditional stuff.

Hookahs: Mya Saray, hard to go wrong -- some are expensive, some are not, its a good brand; Khalil Mahmoon... some good, some not so, but a fan favorite; Magdy Zidan, see Khalil Mahmoon. I would stay away from anything Chinese, except Mya Saray... and I would also stay away from "store brands", but that's just me.

As far as coals go, the big difference is quicklight or non. I prefer non, and use CH Coconut Coals or CocoNara Coconut Coals. Others favor Exotica, or Canary Golden. As far as quicklights, 3 Kings is a solid coal, as are the Exotica QL's.

Good luck.

[EvansLight]

Da Hookah: I always prefer MyaSaray, of all the different brands of pipes out there, they always have been my hands down favorite. They can be a bit pricey, but usually well worth it. As for a specific Mya, the Acrylics are some of my favorite day to day hookahs, and the one i carry with me when i travel. Don't have to worry about glass breaking, and they clean fairly easily. Not to mention i like the screw on design instead of the norm. If you don't want to go with Mya, I still say a good standard Egyptian style hookah is a good reliable pipe. It was my first hookah, and one i still pull out at large parties.

Tobacco: For a good hard buzz your going to want to go with an unwashed tobacco, like Al Waha, Nakhla or Tangiers. But i agree with evilded777 that tangiers is not for everyone. I can only smoke a few of his flavors, as most tend to scratch the back of my throat and make me cough quite a bit. That being said Tangiers Licorice is friggin awesome. If you can live without the big buzz, my personal favorite brand is Starbuzz. I just find starbuzz has a whole lot of really awesome flavors, and tends to give me my best smoke. But best tobacco is all down to personal preference and taste. As well as technique; a tobacco can taste completely different from one persons setup to the next.

Coals: They are very important because without them we get no lovely smoke. I consider there to be 3 types of coals:
Quick Lights which are usually compressed discs which contain a lighting compound mixed in with the actual charcoal. They light fast and easy, but produce more CO2 and can alter the flavor of the tobacco. I personally prefer Three Kings myself, which is what I have used since i started.
Easy Lights are almost the exact same as QL's but do not have a lighting compound mixed in the compressed form (usually not discs, most Easy Lights are finger or brick shaped) but have a silver substance on the outside of the coal which aids in the lighting of the coal. They take longer then QL's, and while they still produce CO2 and can alter the flavor, they usually don't anywhere near as much as QL's. Golden Canary coals are my favorite of the Easy Lights.
Natural Coals are as the name implies, just usually hunks of coal, or compressed blocks or fingers. Since they do not have a compound on them to aid in ignition they can take longer to light then either QL's or EL's, but with a good portable stove or torch, you can have some ready in 5mins. Each brand is made of something different, such as Coconara which is compressed coconut shell, or Exoticas which are compressed wood. They tend not to produce negligible amounts of CO2, and don't alter the flavor.

For a good stove to light naturals or easy lights:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/...uct_id=5431B705

It is what i use and can light even naturals in under 5 min.


As for shops, i am quite removed from the wonderful world of hookah, so my view and knowledge of vendors is old and probably outdated. But i hope that helps with the other questions

[sunsetlounge]

I think if its mainly going to be you, to get a single hose Khalil Mamoon.
For shisha, I like Nakhla and Layalina.
Coals, I like to use 3 Kings Quick Light coals.

I just did a quick search and this site hookahshop.co.uk has a few Khalil Mamoon hookahs, Nakhla and the 3 king coals... good luck on your search.

[AmunRa]

First, welcome to the forum!

I am a firm believer in Hookah-Shisha Central and almost everything they sell. Their pipes are very nice, but Khali Mammoon makes the best in my opinion. For tobacco, I like Tangiers, but all the other brands they have are awesoem too. For coals, go for coco naras or exoticas. Check out H&S at the link below. They have everything you need, and you get the hookah forum discount!

http://www.hookah-shisha.com/

[antouwan]

i know most of your european stuff will probably come from either GB or germany. i don't have any experience with any of the european sites but some of the stuff of hookahshop.co.uk looks decent, and hookahroyal.com has Al Fakher tobacco and cocobrico coals (coconut coals that are similar to coco naras)

my recommendations (in order of necessity):
1. you're going to need a good pipe that will last you. something like a Khalil Maamoon or Magdy Zidan (a lot of people will probably recommend something like MYA Saray, but i think they're a load over rated and over priced for chinese pipes). those two previously named Egyptian pipes will give you a good quality, large diameter pipe that will give you a solid draw.

2. get a wide hose. something like a Khalil Mamoon hose, a nammor, or razan hose. the nammors and razans will provide you with a wide hose and a good draw, and it's also washable, unlike the KM hose will.

3. good tobacco. for yourself i would go with something like Al Fakher and nakhla for starters. both are great starter tobaccos and are very easy to get right; they're straightforward and easy to manage, especially nakhla - IT LOVES HEAT

4. Tangiers Phunnel head. don't skimp and get the chinese shit. Original tang is the way to go.

5. good, natural charcoal. natural is a must; i'm not even going to address quick lights because i think if you seriously consider them for a day to day smoke, you're taking a piss. you need a good natural coal. something great in your area would be something like Tom Cocobrico or another natural coconut charcoal. any other natural hardwood coal would be good.


cheers.

p.s. where in Spain are you?

[Arcane]

read my sig. shop at hookahjohn.com.

/thread



note: my opinion.

[Wagner2k9]

thanks guys i will probaly buy a KM and new coals seing there important ^^.

p.s. where in Spain are you?

In malaga south of spain

[gunsboy]

i know most of your european stuff will probably come from either GB or germany. i don't have any experience with any of the european sites but some of the stuff of hookahshop.co.uk looks decent, and hookahroyal.com has Al Fakher tobacco and cocobrico coals (coconut coals that are similar to coco naras)

my recommendations (in order of necessity):
1. you're going to need a good pipe that will last you. something like a Khalil Maamoon or Magdy Zidan (a lot of people will probably recommend something like MYA Saray, but i think they're a load over rated and over priced for chinese pipes). those two previously named Egyptian pipes will give you a good quality, large diameter pipe that will give you a solid draw.

2. get a wide hose. something like a Khalil Mamoon hose, a nammor, or razan hose. the nammors and razans will provide you with a wide hose and a good draw, and it's also washable, unlike the KM hose will.

3. good tobacco. for yourself i would go with something like Al Fakher and nakhla for starters. both are great starter tobaccos and are very easy to get right; they're straightforward and easy to manage, especially nakhla - IT LOVES HEAT

4. Tangiers Phunnel head. don't skimp and get the chinese shit. Original tang is the way to go.

5. good, natural charcoal. natural is a must; i'm not even going to address quick lights because i think if you seriously consider them for a day to day smoke, you're taking a piss. you need a good natural coal. something great in your area would be something like Tom Cocobrico or another natural coconut charcoal. any other natural hardwood coal would be good.


cheers.

p.s. where in Spain are you?

I agree with 1, 2, 3. For 4 for starter use a normal bowl. Yeah in Europe those Cocobricos and Cocohoas are wayyyyy cheaper than coconaras.

[indian_villager]

Hello there and welcome to the forum. Enjoy your stay here, and please read the rules to avoid any problems.

And as far as your question.

Hookah There are quite a bit of fanboys that will tell you such and such pipe is "teh bestest" but since you started out and are looking for something on the cheap I'd recommend a MYA Qt. They are rock solid pipes, inexpensive, and international vendors do carry them making the world easier for you.

Accessories: A wider hose and a phunnel bowl are recommended. The Phunnel bowl will completely change your experience and bring naklah to a new level for you (I hated naklah before the phunnel, now I am a fan).

Tobacco: Naklah is some good stuff, look into their lemon, tropicana, mandarin, Double apple, and anything from their mizo line. They are great smokes, Tangiers is another phenomenal product, bit it is a bit finnicky the first couple times around. Al Fahker has some decent stuff but some of their products are going south so I'd be wary.

Coals: You are in europe so look into cocobricko, I hear a lot of good things from international members about that particular line of coals.

Well Enjoy!