Help Buying A Hookah

[Plaski]

[size="3"]So I have smoked hookah several times before but now a couple of my friends and I want to put in for a hookah. We have a budget of around $80 to $120 to get us started (broke ass College kids) which we would need everything: Hookah, shisha, coals, ect.

We also dont know if we want a one hose or a two hose hookah. Pros and cons?

We live by the ocean/river mouth so it gets windy sometimes but not all the time so would we need a wind guard?

Thanks
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[jorlyfish]

Maybe get a one-hose since your budget is tight right now, but one that has ports for additional hoses in the future. You can buy hoses separately later.


Don't buy a windcover, you can make them pretty easily - check out the How-To Funhouse section.

Al Fahker ($3.25/50g, $13/250g) and Nakhla ($11/250g) ((Prices from Hookah-Shisha)) are two solid shisha brands that won't break the bank. Check out the clearance section on Hookah-Shisha, HookahJohn, etc. if you plan on ordering online.

[wpw36]

check out hookahset.com for coals i suggest the starlight cocos they are like 5.99 for 75

[king_lunchb0x]

[quote name='jorlyfish' timestamp='1284758567' post='482425']
Maybe get a one-hose since your budget is tight right now, but one that has ports for additional hoses in the future. You can buy hoses separately later.


Don't buy a windcover, you can make them pretty easily - check out the How-To Funhouse section.

Al Fahker ($3.25/50g, $13/250g) and Nakhla ($11/250g) ((Prices from Hookah-Shisha)) are two solid shisha brands that won't break the bank. Check out the clearance section on Hookah-Shisha, HookahJohn, etc. if you plan on ordering online.
[/quote]

very sound advice, a one hose is a great start, i would recommend ordering you hookah online.Don't buy from a local shop unless you know the in and outs of each brand....there is more knock-off then legit ones it seems. But for shisha and coals u don't necessarily have to buy online. shop around where u live there is bound to be a few places that carry something. Nakhla is about as cheap as you can get i would not pay more then 13$ for 250g box of it. And coals is more by trial and error, when i run out of what i ordered online i buy some cheap Chinese coals to get me through tell the next order

[king_lunchb0x]

some vendors i use are
www.hookahjohn.com
www.hookah-shisha.com
www.hookahcompany.com

check em out there bound to carry something u will like. best of luck on ur hunt for the one hookah to rule them all

[mustafabey]

Just don't do what many of us did and buy a useless Chinese "pumpkin" hookah all mad of plastic. Its a waste of money better used on other smoking necessities. The money you have budgeted should set you up OK.
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Jorlyfish said:Don't buy a windcover, you can make them pretty easily - check out the How-To Funhouse section.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thats good advice, you can make alot of your accessories

good smokin"

[TheyCallMeDave]

Don't mean to parrot, but you've got the advice to get you started. Just my two cents worth:

Buy a hookah online, and don't be afriad to post some hopeful options on pipes on the forum, and ask for opinions.

As far as your coals or shisha, I would STRONGLY reccomend looking around for a local international store. An African Grocery, a Middle Eastern super market, etc. Something for people of different cultures to buy their memories from home, to take home.

I used to have one back home. Since they most likely have everything imported, the prices are extrmely low. For me, Nakhla was 6.50 for a 250g box, Al Fakher being 11.00 even. Three Kings large QL's were 1.50 a pack.


I can't promise anything, but of my two permanant residences scine I have smoked hookah, both had a international supermarket of some kind who sold shisha and coals for a great price.

[jorlyfish]

Good point on the international grocery stores for the shisha & coals, guys.
Plaski, if you let us know where you're from, there's a chance someone here would be able to tell you about a place to buy.

[Plaski]

Im in Norfolk VA right now for school but live in Richmond, VA.

What do you guys think about size? Is bigger always better? I was looking on hookah-shisha and saw the Mya small hookahs (QT) and then looked at the Egyptian Hookahs. Thoughts?
Is bigger better always better?

[Plaski]

Not sure how to edit but disregard the last sentence since I already asked it

[TheyCallMeDave]

[quote name='Plaski' timestamp='1284837473' post='482500']
Im in Norfolk VA right now for school but live in Richmond, VA.

What do you guys think about size? Is bigger always better? I was looking on hookah-shisha and saw the Mya small hookahs (QT) and then looked at the Egyptian Hookahs. Thoughts?
Is bigger better always better?
[/quote]


Bigger is NOT always better. That is a very common misconception. Mya is known for selling small hookahs that smoke just as well as pipes twice their size. If you can work the pipe, shisha and coals correctly, size isn't an issue. The TYPE of hookah, however, is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. You'll find a majority of smokers will use Mya, Khalil Mamoon, or a variety of Egyption hookahs. There are others, but these are usually a safe bet for a good smoke.

Once you find reputable brands, It all comes down to what you prefer. I like my KM gold pear. I like large hookahs. No particular reason, I just like the larger look, and I like how they work better. But I know plenty of people who smoke on small myas just as well. Most well made egyption hookahs are in between the heights of 28-36 inches. Mine is 38.

Like I said, each hookah and each different hookah product, no matter which oreputable company you buy from, each have their advantages. Just do research, and figure out which one you want.

As far as buying a hookah, i would check the trades here as much as possible. There is usually a fantastic pipe, that you can get on a amazing deal. Not to mention, the sellers on here are also your HF friends, and the ones giving advice. I'd reccomend them to anyone.

[TheyCallMeDave]

If I wanted a great starter's kit, I might have something like this lined up...

[url="http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/36835-brass-syrian-75/"]http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/36835-brass-syrian-75/[/url] - Brass Syrian, 70.

Naklah Mango, double apple/mixed fruit - 16

[url="http://hookahjohn.com/Large-Egyptian-Clay-Bowl-038.htm"]http://hookahjohn.com/Large-Egyptian-Clay-Bowl-038.htm[/url] Egyption clay bowl, 5.

Monster Energy drink Wind cover, check out how to fun house.

[url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-1574-nammor-hookah-hoses.html"]http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-1574-nammor-hookah-hoses.html[/url] - Nammor hose, 20. This hose is washable, meaning it won't rust with water. It'll last a looong time, and keep you from tasting past flavors.

Add about 10 - 15 dollers, shipping, handling, and tax.

about 120-125 dollers, Give or take a non-washable hose or knocking off a flavor.


This is just an opinion, obiouvsly.

[Plaski]

Dave that helped alot thanks man. Im still trying to find quicklights that ae reliable. Everywhere I read I get mixed reviews on 3 kings and Goldens.

[TheyCallMeDave]

[quote name='Plaski' timestamp='1284878436' post='482543']
Dave that helped alot thanks man. Im still trying to find quicklights that ae reliable. Everywhere I read I get mixed reviews on 3 kings and Goldens.
[/quote]

I'm personally a 3K fan. But I would take serious consideration to CH Hookah quicklights. Many argue it's the best quicklight out there. Hookahjohn.com sells them. I personally haven't eve tried them, but they get alot of credit from this forum.

[TheyCallMeDave]

[quote name='TheyCallMeDave' timestamp='1284880368' post='482546']
[quote name='Plaski' timestamp='1284878436' post='482543']
Dave that helped alot thanks man. Im still trying to find quicklights that ae reliable. Everywhere I read I get mixed reviews on 3 kings and Goldens.
[/quote]

I'm personally a 3K fan. But I would take serious consideration to CH Hookah quicklights. Many argue it's the best quicklight out there. Hookahjohn.com sells them. I personally haven't eve tried them, but they get alot of credit from this forum.
[/quote]


Although I will add, if you own a coil burner or live off-campus with a stove, spend 4 bucks on a pack or two of quick lights, and the rest on natural coals. Coconaras and CH hookah quicklights are my top two choices of natty coals. They burn easier, and last a hell of a lot longer.