Saying Hello And Needing Recommendation.

[dozyproductions]

I want to introduce myself to this forum; which im pretty certain I'll be spending a lot more time in. The name is Adam and I've been smoking other people's hookahs (at friend's houses and bars) but I've never owned my own. Now is the time to buy one and of course the goal is to get the best bang for the buck with a budget around the $100 mark. I spent most of today researching different hookah options but I saw little actual input so alas I am here. 







What I have gathered though from today is perhaps getting a KM tri metal (I don't know where to get it for $100), a tangiers middle phunnel bowl and a nammor hose.

Tell me what you guys think because input is always welcome. Thanks! 

[Zha28]

The sites I like to go to are hookah-shisha.com and hookahjohn.com. John is a really nice guy and always calls to verify you're order and what not. For hookah shisha.com if you type hookah domain as the coupon code you get 15 percent off and I'm sure there's a thread in he vendors area for johns code. Good luck!

[twoapplesplease]

Don't get me wrong KM's are great hookahs,but personally I think for a first hookah I'd go with a medium sized mya or syrian...and a med-tang phunnel is a hugeish bowl a small will do ya just fine..or for the price of one phunnel I'd pick up 3 different sized egyptians...Might grab a second hose well your at it...and with the little bit of extra cash ya saved you can pick up a good amount of 50g samplers of nakhla and al fakher...Oh and don't forget to get some good natural coals...welcome to the forums and happy smoking

[Codename067]

I give you props for taking the time and looking up things on your own, THEN asking for some opinions.


Now lets get down to business..

I admire your choice of going with the Tri-metal, it is a great hookah and everyone can vouch for it. I say even if you have to put a little extra money to get one, go for it, because with KMs, you buy it once and...you don't really look for something better later on, you only look for another KM!!

If you pick up a MYA or a Syrian [both solid hookahs], you will eventually want to move on to something better, an Egyptian Hookah to be specific, I guarantee you that, so why not just stick with something that you won't need to change, say, 6 months or how ever long later?


Get a KM Tri-metal, get a SMALL Phunnel bowl [which will last you 1.5 hours easily if heat is properly managed], and the hose you get with the KM is like no other. Great "stock" hoses.

[dozyproductions]

[quote name='Codename067' date='02 February 2010 - 08:14 PM' timestamp='1265170457' post='449334']
I give you props for taking the time and looking up things on your own, THEN asking for some opinions.


Now lets get down to business..

I admire your choice of going with the Tri-metal, it is a great hookah and everyone can vouch for it.  I say even if you have to put a little extra money to get one, go for it, because with KMs, you buy it once and...you don't really look for something better later on, you only look for another KM!!

If you pick up a MYA or a Syrian [both solid hookahs], you will eventually want to move on to something better, an Egyptian Hookah to be specific, I guarantee you that, so why not just stick with something that you won't need to change, say, 6 months or how ever long later?


Get a KM Tri-metal, get a SMALL Phunnel bowl [which will last you 1.5 hours easily if heat is properly managed], and the hose you get with the KM is like no other.  Great "stock" hoses.
[/quote]



thank you guys. Thats really great to hear there are helpful vendors in the hookah biz. Noobie question here Codename067 but what vendor would you recommend to buy a tri metal? 





I'll also look into a smaller phunnel because majority of smoking will be with a couple of people. 

[acolorado]

Amen to the KM trimetal. Mine is excellent. I ordered it from hookah-shisha.com.

I have used quite a few hookah's and in my experience KM is the top of the line. As was mentioned if you buy something else you will eventually want to move up so I would suggest spending the little bit extra for a KM up front.

The reason KM is so popular is they are well made, and they have a larger core than other hookahs which results in a much easier and better pull which results in a terrific smoke. Some differences my KM's have over my generics are - bigger, thicker, and much sturdier glass base so less chance of breaking, large core and ports for a super easy pull, and quality manufacture.

I personally am a big fan of KM's made with a brass core. It won't rust over time. Most quality hookahs are made with a stainless steel core so if you keep them clean there is very little chance of them rusting, but with brass you have no worries at all. There is lots of confusion on this point but the tri-metal I got from H-S has a brass core so I would recommend using them.

One last thing to consider is the vendor. I have always had a great experience with H-S. My first order the hookah stem was bent (not a KM alas I was a noob) - and they sent another right away with no hassles. Some of their stuff looks more expensive than other vendor's, but I know I'm getting quality and service from someone I trust.

Some other things I would recommend. The phunnel as mentioned above (medium) - makes it easy to clean and manage heat. I would say get a Nammor hose from H-S. It's a washable hose with about twice the diameter of other hoses so you don't get a restricted pull. I would also urge you to get a Heba diffuser, which breaks up the bubbles for a smoother smoke and cuts down vibration in the hookah when you pull. That may seem like alot of stuff but the results are worth it.

Have fun smoking and let us know what you go with.

[dozyproductions]

If any of you guys have the time I have one more dilemma. I went to hookahjohn and hookah-shisha as well as thehookah.com and all of these guys have some significant price variations.




Is it the difference in hoses and height?

[url="http://www.hookahjohn.com/Khalil-Mamoon-BLUE-GOLD-Hour-Glass-Trimetal-w-Narbish-1521.htm"]http://www.hookahjoh...arbish-1521.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.hookahjohn.com/Khalil-Mamoon-Trimetal-Black-on-Green-620.htm"]http://www.hookahjoh...n-Green-620.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.hookahjohn.com/Khalil-Mamoon-OG-Trimetal-Blue-and-Gold-2056.htm "]http://www.hookahjoh...-Gold-2056.htm [/url]



Thenhookah offers this one. Is it just in the extras that you buy and the fact its 29"

[url="http://www.thehookah.com/khalil-mamoon-1-hose-trimetal-29.html"]http://www.thehookah...rimetal-29.html[/url]



Then there is this guy from HS

[url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-5366-blue-trimetal-khalil-mamoon-hookah.html"]http://www.hookah-sh...oon-hookah.html[/url]




Looks aren't everything to me but man that last one... at least in the picture (because I know vase will look a bit different) is gorgeous.  Thanks guys,  this could be my last question then I can add some reviews on shisha! 

[acolorado]

Looks like you found some good ones.

The price differences are probably due to the length differences at hookahjohn's. Those hoses look pretty good on all of the models.

I would wager that no matter which one of those you go with at either hookahjohn's or H-S you'll get a great hookah.

[fillup]

Id go with either hookah john or hookah shisha. I havent heard too much about thehookah but have had great experiences with both hj and h-s.

As to what you pick its really upto you. The narbish that John throws in with the hookah is a great hose. I havent tried the others but I currently own a narbish and it works great. You also get some extra coals from John which is just another plus.

The only thing I saw about hookah-shisha that I saw that was good was that it comes with (2) 50g sample packs of shisha as well as a carrying bag.


Coupon codes for both vendors are as follows:

HookahJohn - (10%) HF13 or ShipmeFREE for free shipping over $75
Hookah Shisha (15%) Hookah Forum

[Chreees]

Go with HJ when you're buying a new KM. Many reasons.

[dozyproductions]

Well I'll eventually get my tri metal but I ended up ordering a kamanja star from HJ. First off, he was very helpful and next is that I want to thank you guys for being a part of this forum and all its knowledge. Stella aint got her groove yet per say but I'm getting there. 




This Hookah smokes great! I chose for my first smoke to be Al Waha's Orange Creme and its fabulous! I'll post picks later.