Buying My First Hookah!

[Nice Guy Eddie]

Hey everyone. I've been smoking Hookahs with friends and in Hookah bars for a little while, but it has come time to make my first purchase.
My total budget for getting the project of the ground is ~100-150$. I've been digging around, reading reviews and forums trying to make a decision I can be proud of. Basic fan favorites seem to be Kahlil Maamoon Hookahs and Namoor hoses. So I am looking into those.

These are the sites that I've been seeing tossed around:
http://hookahjohn.com
http://www.hookahcompany.com
http://www.hookah-shisha.com

Are there any other reputable sites selling name brand merchandise that I should be checking to make sure I'm getting the best deal I can?

My roommate is providing most of the money, so he's more or less got the final say. The thing is, he has his heart set on getting a Hookah with two tubes. How will having 2 tubes complicate things. As far as I understand you need to get one way valves so that people don't have to hold the 2nd hose in order to take a hit. But do these one way valves prevent you from purging?

I'm looking for some advice on good 2 hose Hookahs, or else some advice on talking him out of wanting one.

As far as picking out which KM I want, should I just get one I think looks nice? Do all of them perform pretty well?


Hope that isn't too many questions. I'm looking forward to enjoying some fine Hookah smoking.

[KeepItSimple]

All of them above 24 inches perform about the same, its just which one looks the best to you. If your roommate really wants a 2 hose, why not check out Mya? They offer hookahs that can be converted back and forth from a 2 hose to a 1 hose, and you can buy auto-seal valves for it so that you won't need to plug the hose when your not taking a hit from it. Although Mya is a little more expensive, it might be what your looking for.

[mitchard]

Get a single hosed pipe. If you get a multi hose KM, you'll have to plug the other hose if only one person is smoking at that time. It just gets to be a pain after awhile.

With the single hose KMs, all of them smoke similar. There isn't a huge difference, and when it comes down to it, looks is all you are going for. Some are built sturdier than others, but all in all they are all high quality.

I usually do all of my shopping with HC and HJ, but H-S isn't bad either. All of those are reliable vendors.

[Chreees]

As for vendors, you've picked probably the best three to choose from..

For a multi-hoser, I suggest a Mya. It has an auto-seal system where you won't have to hold your thumb over the hose.

For KMs, the one-hosers are the best. Multi-hose KMs don't have the auto-seal ball bearings in the hose ports like the Myas do.

Either way you go, both brands will satisfy you. All KMs and Myas perform the same, so it basically comes down to personal preference on aesthetics.

Hope this helps! Oh, and welcome to HF!!!

[Nice Guy Eddie]

So If I get a multi-hose Mya with the autoseal ball bearings, that means that it is impossible to purge the base through any hose that has the bearings?

In other words my 2 hose options are:
1)Have people hold their hoses whenever someone is smoking/purging
2)Not worry about holding the hoses but lose the ability to purge

If that Is the case I will probably try and talk him into a single hose.

[shells]

I just got my first hookah from H-S, and I got a Mya with two hoses. I think I'll be going with H-S for most of my hookah-related needs. Fast-shipping, friendly service, and everything came packed well.

The auto-seal does make it a pain to purge, but not impossible. Like someone else suggested, you can always turn it into a one hose or buy more adapters.

[ryno]

[quote name='Mr NiceGuy' date='08 May 2010 - 07:22 PM' timestamp='1273360956' post='467273']
So If I get a multi-hose Mya with the autoseal ball bearings, that means that it is impossible to purge the base through any hose that has the bearings?

In other words my 2 hose options are:
1)Have people hold their hoses whenever someone is smoking/purging
2)Not worry about holding the hoses but lose the ability to purge

If that Is the case I will probably try and talk him into a single hose.
[/quote]


[quote name='shells' date='08 May 2010 - 07:35 PM' timestamp='1273361705' post='467274']
I just got my first hookah from H-S, and I got a Mya with two hoses. I think I'll be going with H-S for most of my hookah-related needs. Fast-shipping, friendly service, and everything came packed well.

The auto-seal does make it a pain to purge, but not impossible. Like someone else suggested, you can always turn it into a one hose or buy more adapters.
[/quote]
The autoseals are essentially a purge valve with a hose. The thing that makes a ya hard to purge is that the heart is open, meaning it has a common chamber.

[shells]

[quote name='ryno' date='08 May 2010 - 03:50 PM' timestamp='1273362613' post='467275']


[quote name='shells' date='08 May 2010 - 07:35 PM' timestamp='1273361705' post='467274']
I just got my first hookah from H-S, and I got a Mya with two hoses. I think I'll be going with H-S for most of my hookah-related needs. Fast-shipping, friendly service, and everything came packed well.

The auto-seal does make it a pain to purge, but not impossible. Like someone else suggested, you can always turn it into a one hose or buy more adapters.
[/quote]
The autoseals are essentially a purge valve with a hose. The thing that makes a ya hard to purge is that the heart is open, meaning it has a common chamber.
[/quote]

Ohh, my bad.

I'm such a newb to smoking hookah. Maybe not the best thing to take my advice for now, lol

[rahl071]

If you're using two hoses, and they both have autoseals, yes, you will be unable to purge. However, this has yet to really become an issue for me thus far, just my .02.

[Nice Guy Eddie]

[quote name='rahl071' date='09 May 2010 - 01:00 AM' timestamp='1273381228' post='467305']
If you're using two hoses, and they both have autoseals, yes, you will be unable to purge. However, this has yet to really become an issue for me thus far, just my .02.
[/quote]Alright. That was my initial understanding. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

I suppose I left out the possibility of mixing autosealed hoses with clear hoses. But one way or another, in order to be able to purge you have to have at least one hose that has to be covered for other people to draw.

.

[Skoozle]

Why not do this: Get a three hose hookah with two auto seal hoses and one non auto seal hose... Put one of those rubber stoppers on the non auto seal hose. This will be your "purge hose". When you burn your shisha, unplug the "purge hose" and blow the bad smoke out through the two auto seal hoses.

[rahl071]

[quote name='Mr NiceGuy' date='09 May 2010 - 12:25 AM' timestamp='1273389931' post='467312']
[quote name='rahl071' date='09 May 2010 - 01:00 AM' timestamp='1273381228' post='467305']
If you're using two hoses, and they both have autoseals, yes, you will be unable to purge. However, this has yet to really become an issue for me thus far, just my .02.
[/quote]Alright. That was my initial understanding. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

I suppose I left out the possibility of mixing autosealed hoses with clear hoses. But one way or another, in order to be able to purge you have to have at least one hose that has to be covered for other people to draw.

.
[/quote]

The autoseal is not in the hose. On a mya, there's a conical metal piece that threads into the heart, the part that's just above the base. on the autoseals, that piece has a ball bearing and retaining screw. what skoozle said it a good idea though.

[Nice Guy Eddie]

We decided to go with this guy:
http://www.hookahcompany.com/black_arabesh_tri_metal_hookah_4790_prd1.htm


Definitely looking forward to it

[jeremyk]

my roomate has the same km tri-metal smokes really good nice buy

[Nice Guy Eddie]

It came on Friday. Loving it so far. The vase scared me at first. I figured I should wash it out before I used it. It has a smokey glass coloring. It disappears when it gets wet. I thought I had washed half of it off and ruined the thing within 60 seconds of opening the box.

[F16WarBird]

How does it smoke?

[Nice Guy Eddie]

[quote name='F16WarBird' date='16 May 2010 - 01:04 AM' timestamp='1273986280' post='468263']
How does it smoke?[/quote]Great Smoke. I'm not quite a connoisseur... but I am very happy with it. Looks great. Clean easy draws. Better than my local hookah bar, and I'm only just starting to get the hang of how to pack it and how much coal it needs. This forum was a great help. I feel like a got a hookah that I can be proud of indefintely instead of one that would have basically been replaceable.

[ryno]

[quote name='Nice Guy Eddie' date='17 May 2010 - 02:19 PM' timestamp='1274120375' post='468416']
[quote name='F16WarBird' date='16 May 2010 - 01:04 AM' timestamp='1273986280' post='468263']
How does it smoke?[/quote]Great Smoke. I'm not quite a connoisseur... but I am very happy with it. Looks great. Clean easy draws. Better than my local hookah bar, and I'm only just starting to get the hang of how to pack it and how much coal it needs. This forum was a great help. I feel like a got a hookah that I can be proud of indefintely instead of one that would have basically been replaceable.
[/quote]

Yea, a tri-metal should last you a long time if you take care of it. I know people that have had them for years and they still smoke great.