One More First-timer

[LetsDeauxThis]

After smoking one time at a local lounge I decided to buy my own hookah. After some (and what I thought was enough) research of hookahs, I decided to buy a Magdy Zidan - Large Single Hose Hookah from HookahLounge.net. It seemed the most legitimate source at the time of purchase, but now I'm starting to wonder. I think I have heard some bad things about Magdy Zidan, but due to the slang and abbreviations used on this board I'm not too sure anymore...What I'm really looking for is a reliable hookah that will last a long time without any issues. Durability is my main concern. Did I make the right choice going with Magdy Zidan? or should I have bought another style?


I have a few other questions too. You guys seem really experienced and it looks like you might be able to help me out.
-Are hookah stems/vases/bowls universal? Do I have to worry about the sizes of components if I decide to upgrade my stem later? Or will any of the same type fit?
-Whats the best shisha tobacco for a first timer? I havent really smoked anything but hookah, and that was once. Besides a few cigars I really dont know what I'm doing and I dont really want something that hits too hard...

[Tikhman]

MZs are perfectly good hookahs, so no worries there.

For tobacco I'd probably recommend Al Fakher to start, its forgiving with heat management and its washed so you shouldn't have nicotine issues.

[LetsDeauxThis]

MZs are perfectly good hookahs, so no worries there.

For tobacco I'd probably recommend Al Fakher to start, its forgiving with heat management and its washed so you shouldn't have nicotine issues.

Awesome, thank you.

Also, having never packed a bowl myself, I'm worried that i wont know how much to put in it. Im confused because some sources that I have read have said to sprinkle the tobacco in the bowl, and others have said to "pack it good". Would anyone be able to give me an estimate in g's? I could use a scale...

[Tom1]

Also, having never packed a bowl myself, I'm worried that i wont know how much to put in it. Im confused because some sources that I have read have said to sprinkle the tobacco in the bowl, and others have said to "pack it good". Would anyone be able to give me an estimate in g's? I could use a scale...

Without seeing the bowl? No, but I assure you the "pack it good" method is wrong. Just break it up and sprinkle it in until its about even or a little under the rim of the bowl, make sure its evenly distributed and you're good to go.

[ilikemyusername]

yeah, you're all set with the MZ, I love mine, its a damn good performer. For the price, I don't think you can find a better egyptian hookah.
as far as bowl packing goes, the only thing you even need to be concerned about packing properly is tangiers, all the rest of the shishas you can just stir them up with a fork and flop them right in there, easy as pie.

[joytron]

I think packing for most tobaccos like AF/SB/Lucid is overemphasized. Instead focus on getting good coals and working on your heat management.

Although I do not have an MZ consensus is that it is a damn good pipe.

Here are some flavor reccs:

Al Fakher:
Mint
Cinnamon
Golden Esk Apple.
Watermelon

Starbuzz:
Tangerine Dream
Orange

Tangiers Lucid:
K-Cherry or M-Cherry
Melon Blend
Passion Fruit


Im sure im forgetting some but thats a good start Edited July 21, 2009 by joytron

[LetsDeauxThis]

I think packing for most tobaccos like AF/SB/Lucid is overemphasized. Instead focus on getting good coals and working on your heat management.

Although I do not have an MZ consensus is that it is a damn good pipe.

Here are some flavor reccs:

Al Fakher:
Mint
Cinnamon
Golden Esk Apple.
Watermelon

Starbuzz:
Tangerine Dream
Orange

Tangiers Lucid:
K-Cherry or M-Cherry
Melon Blend
Passion Fruit


Im sure im forgetting some but thats a good start

yeah that is more than enough to start with. Thank you very much!


As far as heat management goes should i get a charcoal screen or just stick with heavy duty aluminum foil? Edited July 21, 2009 by LetsDeauxThis

[joytron]

Aluminum foil, also i would look into coconara coals, they last a long time and dont give off any flavor

[norcalsmoker]

Definately stick with hd aluminum foil.
And out of my six hookahs my magdy zidan is my favorite.

*Joytron beat me to it, Listen to the man, he knows his shit!* Edited July 21, 2009 by norcalsmoker

[jeremyk]

I'd say AF and SB for shisha they are good smoke and easy to manage for newbies for sure

[RingsMaster]

al fakher or honetly al amir because AM is realy easy to set up and can take a beating on heat.

[delSol_si]

To answer your question about switching components, there are both female and male bowls. Female bowls being more common. I think GNR has said that most Syrians take males bowls. Anyway, bowls are pretty universal, not too much to worry about there. The vase on the other hand, there are different sizes. Example: my vase broke on my KM, and I was looking around at different places for a vase and found out there are different sizes. Luckily, Sonthert told me that mine was a size 32 gasket which takes a jumbo vase (after giving the measurements). I had a hard as hell time finding a vase that big because most are just large or medium. So you gotta watch out for that when buying a vase. Some people say you can sand a gasket (rubber doohicky, lol for those of you who read the thread) or put tape around it, but I don't like that idea myself.

As far as baccy, I personally think Layalina is a good baccy, or Tangiers lucid. Both are hard to fuck up. Just throw the shit in there, poke a generous amount of holes, throw 2 CH coals on and you are good to go. I would highly suggest using a tea light or scalli mod on the phunnel though. Oh, and just so you know how easy Lucid is to smoke, I was at K1024's hookahfest awhile back and he had a little Passion Fruit left and I wanted to try out his Leila. He just threw the stuff in the bowl, covered it, and threw a couple pieces of a 3K on, and it smoke amazing. Also, usually 3Ks give off an ashy taste, but the Lucid was able to cover it up.

Oh, and if you do try Layalina, the 3 favorite flavors are blueberry, raspberry, and kiwi Edited July 22, 2009 by delSol_si