Last Minute Advice

[Noctuplaxia]

Hi,

I am an occasional tobacco pipe smoker that has decided to get a hookah.

I was looking for something that was ornate and well made, and I think I have decided to purchase either one of the larger Khalil Mamoon or Egyptian hookahs.

I have a few questions:

Do 2-hose hookahs reduce the amount/strength of the smoke? (Trying to decide between a 1 or 2 hose)

Are there any major differences between the KM and egyptian hookahs?

I am planning to purchase my hookah from Caravan Trading Group on eBay (http://stores.ebay.com/Caravan-Trading-Group). They have good feedback and say their hookahs are authentic Egyptian and handcrafted. I have been looking at the shops locally, and they do not seem to carry well made items. I live in the DC metro area- do any locals know of any good shops?

Finally, most of the people I have smoked hookah with recommend Starbuzz. Does this sound about right? I am looking for something strong, but not harsh.

Thank you for your time.

[thatonethere]

"Do 2-hose hookahs reduce the amount/strength of the smoke? (Trying to decide between a 1 or 2 hose)"

It doesn't make a difference, however if you get a KM, get a single hose because KMs don't have check valves in the hose port. This means that if you choose to smoke with someone, you'd have to spend the night with your thumb over the mouthpiece so they can smoke and vice versa. After a while it gets old. I'm not sure about egyptian hookahs, but if you decide to get a 2 hosed one, make sure it has check valves.

Shisha choice:

When you say you're looking for something "strong, not harsh" what exactly do you mean? Are you referring to the buzz factor? As far as harshness goes, the only way a shisha could be harsh is if you burn it.

Decent shishas based on buzz and flavour:

Tangiers - a little more expensive (but less expensive than Starbuzz). The buzz on this stuff is strong. Smoke this one slow.
Nakhla (my favorite)- Cheap with a nice buzz.

I hope that helps.

[Noctuplaxia]

[quote name='thatonethere' date='05 April 2010 - 01:24 AM' timestamp='1270448644' post='461929']
"Do 2-hose hookahs reduce the amount/strength of the smoke? (Trying to decide between a 1 or 2 hose)"

It doesn't make a difference, however if you get a KM, get a single hose because KMs don't have check valves in the hose port. This means that if you choose to smoke with someone, you'd have to spend the night with your thumb over the mouthpiece so they can smoke and vice versa. After a while it gets old. I'm not sure about egyptian hookahs, but if you decide to get a 2 hosed one, make sure it has check valves.

Shisha choice:

When you say you're looking for something "strong, not harsh" what exactly do you mean? Are you referring to the buzz factor? As far as harshness goes, the only way a shisha could be harsh is if you burn it.

Decent shishas based on buzz and flavour:

Tangiers - a little more expensive (but less expensive than Starbuzz). The buzz on this stuff is strong. Smoke this one slow.
Nakhla (my favorite)- Cheap with a nice buzz.

I hope that helps.
[/quote]

That is helpful about the check valve, thanks for the info. As for the strong/harsh statement- I mean a strong buzz without tasting bad. I think I recall smoking Tangiers. I'll check that out.

[antouwan]

[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 01:06 AM' timestamp='1270447568' post='461927']
Hi,

[color="#ff0000"][u](see E.)[/u][/color] I am an occasional tobacco pipe smoker that has decided to get a hookah.

[color="#ff0000"][b][u]A.[/u][/b] [/color]I was looking for something that was ornate and well made, and I think I have decided to purchase either one of the larger Khalil Mamoon or Egyptian hookahs.

I have a few questions:

[color="#ff0000"][b][u]B.[/u] [/b][/color]Do 2-hose hookahs reduce the amount/strength of the smoke? (Trying to decide between a 1 or 2 hose)

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]C.[/b][/u][/color] Are there any major differences between the KM and egyptian hookahs?

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]D.[/b][/u][/color] I am planning to purchase my hookah from Caravan Trading Group on eBay (http://stores.ebay.com/Caravan-Trading-Group). They have good feedback and say their hookahs are authentic Egyptian and handcrafted. I have been looking at the shops locally, and they do not seem to carry well made items. I live in the DC metro area- do any locals know of any good shops?

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]E.[/b][/u][/color] Finally, most of the people I have smoked hookah with recommend Starbuzz. Does this sound about right? I am looking for something strong, but not harsh.

Thank you for your time.
[/quote]

hi, welcome to the forum!

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]A.[/b][/u][/color] if you're looking for something that is ornate and well made KM's are good but I would recommend something along the lines of an AF or nour syrian or a Temsaah.

if you're looking for something that is ornate and well made KM's are good but I would recommend something along the lines of an AF or nour syrian or a Temsaah.

Km's tend to have a rather basic design. don't get me wrong, they're well made but they aren't really ornate. some of the newer models are, but the prices on the kms are being WAY artificially inflated by most vendors people go to on here. like i said earlier, the only really 'ornate' kms are maybe the trimetals and some of the newer '2010' ones

temsaahs (the brass ones with the copper down tubes are best) are SIGNIFICANTLY heavier and obviously much more well made than the kms - yes, even the trimetals.

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]B.[/b][/u][/color] pretty much everyone here will say that one hose > two hose
really, with two hose pipes, only one person can practically be smoking at a time. if you have an autoseal style pipe it means forget about purging and if you have an egyptian style pipe the purging is awkward because you're going to be going through the other person's hose.

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]C.[/b][/u][/color] that's like asking "is there a difference between a BMW and German cars?" all KMs are Egyptian hookahs but not all Egyptian hookahs are KMs. KM is just a brand. when it comes to internet buying that's pretty important because there is a quality standard when it comes to KM that you know you will receive. KM is by far not the only pipe with this kind of recognition or anything, it's just the most popular on these boards here - don't get me wrong, it's a damn good pipe. (other well known pipes that have a good quality standard are MYA which are machined and very modern looking, and Nour and Al Fakher Syrian pipes)

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]D.[/b][/u][/color] I've never used Caravan trading although i have heard about them. Most of the people here use only a handful of vendors: HookahJohn.com, HookahCompany.com, and Hookah-Shisha.com are the most popular, however TheHookah.com and SocialSmoke.com and a few others are trusted vendors, but i hit the main ones. the top 3 have Km's for sure, and i know thehookah does as well. chances are, if the mentioned places don't carry it, it probably isn't worth buying. however, that doesn't mean that everything they have is worth buying

[color="#ff0000"][u][b]E.[/b][/u][b] [/b][color="#000000"]since you said that you were a part-time pipe smoker, I would stay away from the stuff like Starbuzz (SB). I would tell you to go for the more full-bodied stuff like Nakhla or maybe even tangiers. Nakhla for sure because it is going to be stronger, a little heavier, and honestly a little more tobacco-ey and less candy like which is what the SB (and fantasia) would be like. that doesn't mean you will not enjoy brands like SB or fantasia, but considering their price also, Nakhla is a MUCH better buy for the money, and most people here will say it is much more enjoyable. [/color][/color]

--- --- ---

You said you wanted a KM, i'm not trying necessarily to sway you away from KM, just allow you to take a look at some options which sound like you would probably be interested in.

Nour Syrian: [url="http://www.thehookah.com/nour-brass-syrian-hookah-style-2s-24-inch.html"]http://www.thehookah...2s-24-inch.html[/url] (this is just one model, there are different designs in both plated nickel and brass)

AF Syrian: [url="http://alfakheronline.com/AF_Medium_Solid_Hookah.htm"]http://alfakheronlin...olid_Hookah.htm[/url] (NB: the bottom tray is removable, if you like)

TEMSAAH: [url="http://www.hookahcompany.com/dahab_alaim_temsaah_hookah_4348_prd1.htm"]http://www.hookahcom...h_4348_prd1.htm[/url] (this is just one example. the engravings and such are unique to its egyptian-style construction. these pipes are more KM-like in that they are also made in Egypt and are larger than most syrians, but they are better constructed, IMO and are cast metal, instead of stamped and spot-welded sheet metal like KMs)

hope that helps! post up anything else if you have any more questions!

[Neil's butt boy.]

get a mya qt smokes as good as a km or close to it

[Noctuplaxia]

Wow- So much help! Thanks for taking the time to write that. The hookahs that you linked are much more visually appealing. If those are trusted vendors, I will buy from them since I can include shisha in the shipment as well - unlike through eBay.

The AF was my favorite of your links.

I think I am going to either go with
http://www.thehookah.com/nour-syrian-brass-hookah-28-inch.html
or http://alfakheronline.com/AF_Large_Solid_Hookah.htm

[Noctuplaxia]

[quote name='Dreamer_1969' date='05 April 2010 - 02:32 AM' timestamp='1270452755' post='461938']
get a mya qt smokes as good as a km or close to it
[/quote]


I am looking for a larger sized one, but thanks for the advice.

[Noctuplaxia]

[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 02:40 AM' timestamp='1270453208' post='461940']

I think I am going to either go with
[url="http://www.thehookah.com/nour-syrian-brass-hookah-28-inch.html"]http://www.thehookah...ah-28-inch.html[/url]
or [url="http://alfakheronline.com/AF_Large_Solid_Hookah.htm"]http://alfakheronlin...olid_Hookah.htm[/url]
[/quote]

Looks like the AF is the current candidate- the other is out of stock.

[antouwan]

[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 02:40 AM' timestamp='1270453208' post='461940']
Wow- So much help! Thanks for taking the time to write that. The hookahs that you linked are much more visually appealing. If those are trusted vendors, I will buy from them since I can include shisha in the shipment as well - unlike through eBay.

The AF was my favorite of your links.

I think I am going to either go with
[url="http://www.thehookah.com/nour-syrian-brass-hookah-28-inch.html"]http://www.thehookah...ah-28-inch.html[/url]
or [url="http://alfakheronline.com/AF_Large_Solid_Hookah.htm"]http://alfakheronlin...olid_Hookah.htm[/url]


[/quote]

i would suggest to go with something in the 28" to 32" range. i had a 40" pipe and it was just WAY too unmanageable. get a tape measure out and just thinking about positioning that in your group that you'll be smoking with, AND having to clean it. posting that reminded me of my AF, and i'm smoking out of it right now. either if you go with the NOUR or the AF you're going to want to upgrade both the hose and the head (bowl) as the stock ones they come with are pretty basic. you can get a nour and an AF to smoke on par with a KM if you know what you're doing (which if you hang around here enough you will!). when you said that you wanted something that was ornate and built well i figured that you would want to go with a Syrian, and they're damn good pipes (as long as they're done right).

best of luck!

[fineout]

I've smoked out of the nour pipes that ended up becoming the AF pipes, the not AF branded ones, and they are great hookahs, smoke great and are absolutely gorgeous..if i had the money I'd definitely buy one.

[antouwan]

[quote name='fineout' date='05 April 2010 - 04:05 AM' timestamp='1270458311' post='461948']
I've smoked out of the nour pipes that ended up becoming the AF pipes, the not AF branded ones, and they are great hookahs, smoke great and are absolutely gorgeous..if i had the money I'd definitely buy one.
[/quote]

the AF pipes are made by al nawras...

[fineout]

are they, i was told it was nour, well either way i smoked out of one that was all silver instead of gold and was definately the same pipe but not branded AF

[Noctuplaxia]

[quote name='antouwan' date='05 April 2010 - 02:49 AM' timestamp='1270453751' post='461943']
i would suggest to go with something in the 28" to 32" range. i had a 40" pipe and it was just WAY too unmanageable. get a tape measure out and just thinking about positioning that in your group that you'll be smoking with, AND having to clean it. posting that reminded me of my AF, and i'm smoking out of it right now. either if you go with the NOUR or the AF you're going to want to upgrade both the hose and the head (bowl) as the stock ones they come with are pretty basic. you can get a nour and an AF to smoke on par with a KM if you know what you're doing (which if you hang around here enough you will!). when you said that you wanted something that was ornate and built well i figured that you would want to go with a Syrian, and they're damn good pipes (as long as they're done right).

best of luck!
[/quote]

Well I do not mind having a larger one, since it will be on display more that it will be used (I still plan to get good use out of it though). And I was thinking about getting a vortex or phunnel bowl.

[RingsMaster]

[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 09:06 AM' timestamp='1270476398' post='461960']
[quote name='antouwan' date='05 April 2010 - 02:49 AM' timestamp='1270453751' post='461943']
i would suggest to go with something in the 28" to 32" range. i had a 40" pipe and it was just WAY too unmanageable. get a tape measure out and just thinking about positioning that in your group that you'll be smoking with, AND having to clean it. posting that reminded me of my AF, and i'm smoking out of it right now. either if you go with the NOUR or the AF you're going to want to upgrade both the hose and the head (bowl) as the stock ones they come with are pretty basic. you can get a nour and an AF to smoke on par with a KM if you know what you're doing (which if you hang around here enough you will!). when you said that you wanted something that was ornate and built well i figured that you would want to go with a Syrian, and they're damn good pipes (as long as they're done right).

best of luck!
[/quote]

Well I do not mind having a larger one, since it will be on display more that it will be used (I still plan to get good use out of it though). And I was thinking about getting a vortex or phunnel bowl.
[/quote]

phunnel imo, the vortex has a good idea but from what most people will say it lacks in performance. now the phunnel is an amazing little bowl and always gets the job done right.

[Hassouni]

[quote name='RingsMaster' date='05 April 2010 - 02:05 PM' timestamp='1270490714' post='461992']

phunnel imo, the vortex has a good idea but from what most people will say it lacks in performance. now the phunnel is an amazing little bowl and always gets the job done right.
[/quote]


What do you mean [i]little [/i]bowl? [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Noctuplaxia]

I ended up getting a Khalil Mamoon Imhotep. It was a little out of my price range, but I decided to splurge. I was attracted to the "ice chamber", and the coloring. I also bought the vortex instead of the phunnel. It seemed like it would work better from an engineering standpoint. I hope I did not make an error here hehe.

[Noctuplaxia]

[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 03:47 PM' timestamp='1270500445' post='462012']
I ended up getting a Khalil Mamoon Imhotep. It was a little out of my price range, but I decided to splurge. I was attracted to the "ice chamber", and the coloring. I also bought the vortex instead of the phunnel. It seemed like it would work better from an engineering standpoint. I hope I did not make an error here hehe.
[/quote]

Through the website that I ordered from, I was able to get a phunnel for free with reward points- so I will see how they compare.

[antouwan]

[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 04:32 PM' timestamp='1270503144' post='462021']
[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 03:47 PM' timestamp='1270500445' post='462012']
I ended up getting a Khalil Mamoon Imhotep. It was a little out of my price range, but I decided to splurge. I was attracted to the "ice chamber", and the coloring. I also bought the vortex instead of the phunnel. It seemed like it would work better from an engineering standpoint. I hope I did not make an error here hehe.
[/quote]

Through the website that I ordered from, I was able to get a phunnel for free with reward points- so I will see how they compare.
[/quote]

hookah-shisha.com? those aren't real phunnels. it will get the job done, but i got one that came with a hookah i bought and the knock-off chinese phunnels aren't nearly as aesthetically pleasing nor function as well as the original tangiers phunnels.

vortexes get clogged.

hope you like it though!

[Venger]

[quote name='antouwan' date='06 April 2010 - 02:19 AM' timestamp='1270534796' post='462138']
[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 04:32 PM' timestamp='1270503144' post='462021']
[quote name='Noctuplaxia' date='05 April 2010 - 03:47 PM' timestamp='1270500445' post='462012']
I ended up getting a Khalil Mamoon Imhotep. It was a little out of my price range, but I decided to splurge. I was attracted to the "ice chamber", and the coloring. I also bought the vortex instead of the phunnel. It seemed like it would work better from an engineering standpoint. I hope I did not make an error here hehe.
[/quote]

Through the website that I ordered from, I was able to get a phunnel for free with reward points- so I will see how they compare.
[/quote]

hookah-shisha.com? those aren't real phunnels. it will get the job done, but i got one that came with a hookah i bought and the knock-off chinese phunnels aren't nearly as aesthetically pleasing nor function as well as the original tangiers phunnels.

vortexes get clogged.

hope you like it though!
[/quote]
Vortex has never clogged. All 4 holes are open and very close to the top of the center post.
Ray

[Noctuplaxia]

[quote name='antouwan' date='06 April 2010 - 01:19 AM' timestamp='1270534796' post='462138']
hookah-shisha.com? those aren't real phunnels. it will get the job done, but i got one that came with a hookah i bought and the knock-off chinese phunnels aren't nearly as aesthetically pleasing nor function as well as the original tangiers phunnels.
[/quote]

Yep, I read that Tangiers were the best, but this one was free. I got the Havana Phunnel, so if it is faulty, I have the vortex to fall back on.