Hookah Crossbreeding?

[ih303]

A few weeks ago a couple of my friends from Saudi Arabia came into my lounge, and I got to talking with them about brands of hookahs. After looking at all the hookahs I had in stock to read all the inscriptions, they determined that none of my KM's were 100% KM. In fact, it was clearly written on the platforms where the trays sit who made the stems.

Now, the brands of Egyptian hookahs I generally carry are KM, Temsaah, Nammor, and some Magdy Zidan from time to time. And here's what I know about each:

KM - I don't know about the spelling differences, but what I was able to find out is this: If you buy a KM from a reputable company, chances are good that it actually came from KM. The problem is, KM gets some of their parts from other manufacturers. For existance, on several of our KM's, the base, tray, and hose were clearly KM, but the stem itself was made by Temsaah (Magdy & Gamil Faris). I should take some pics so you guys who don't speak arabic (like myself) can have a visual.

Temsaah - I don't know much about this company other than what it says on the Hookah Co. website - made by Mady & Gamil Faris.

Nammor - Thse are basically custom pipes made from a bunch of different stuff. For instance, I know some of the stems are KM/Temsaah and I'm pretty sure some of the smaller ones are MZ. However, I also think some of the stems are either Chinese or Syrian, low-quality knockoffs. Don't quote me on that, though. The cool thing about Nammors is that they get stuff I haven't seen available elseware. For instance, the tray used on the Cleopatra is sick, but I have no idea where it's from. Same with the bases. Some of those bases I haven't seen on any other hookahs from any other vendor/distributor.

MZ - This brand has kind of fallen from grace ever since their change of ownership. Nothing special coming from that place these days. The nice thing about MZ's, though, is they have a ver distinct look - cheap, thin, molded stainless steel rather than brass or nickel plating with visible welds.

I guess these are my question:

[list=1][*]What's the relationship between these brands? For instance, I've heard some people speculate that Magdy from Temsaah is the same Magdy from MZ. This is probably unlikely since I know Magdy is a fairly common name, but it still piques my curiousity.[*]And when did Temsaah start making stems for KM? I was under the assumption that TM was a relativey new player on the hookah scene, but I'm probably wrong.[*]Does KM still make hookahs with all KM components?[/list]I'll try to get some pictures up so this all makes a bit more sense.

[IainUM]

i am quite intrigued. i'll be excited to see more

[Hassouni]

Keep in mind that in Egypt, there are dozens if not easily hundreds of small outfits making them. In the West we get to see what, 3 or 4 brands? Parts could come from anywhere...

Take some pictures, I speak Arabic

[Matto]

In my opinion hookah manufacturing in Egypt can be equated to car manufacturing here in the U.S. Domestic auto companies do not use 100% domestic parts, the chrysler crossfire for example is made mostly at a mercedes plant in Germany. So when we think about a hookah not being 100% from the KM plant that doesn't mean it is not high quality. Maybe KM had been getting too much demand so they had to "outsource" the making of some parts.

[ih303]

Honestly, I don't really care about the brand of the hookah. I just want to know what I'm dealing with. In other words, I don't want to sell a Temsaah telling people it's a KM.

I wonder who else would know about this stuff. The information I have came from John and Eric who I consider to be pretty good resources. However, I wish I knew someone a little closer to these manufacturers. Maybe an importer. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Hassouni]

I bet you that the average smoker in Egypt doesn't know the brand either. Having been to nargile shops in the Middle East, brands are not highlighted AT ALL. I think it's more of a Western contrivance

[ih303]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1286562085' post='484397']
I bet you that the average smoker in Egypt doesn't know the brand either. Having been to nargile shops in the Middle East, brands are not highlighted AT ALL. I think it's more of a Western contrivance
[/quote]

It's probably pretty similar there to how it is here where the majority of people don't pay attention to what they're smoking. I see it even in my lounge with the guys from the Middle East who go to the School of Mines here. Some of them know only what they saw back home and think they're experts just because of where they're from. On the other hand, the guys I generally go to with questions know their stuff pretty well. They're old school and really don't like where the industry is going right now both here in the States and over in Saudi Arabia.

It's a tricky busines where there are a lot of knock-offs made in Syria and other places trying to be passed off as one brand or another in order to fetch a higher price.

Honestly what I suspect is happening is exactly what Matto suggested - the folks over at KM are realizing there's a huge market in the states for their product (since we are so obsessed with brand name) and are simply finding ways to cut costs in order to maximize profit and produce hookahs at a price-point that's acceptable for the average Joe HookahSmoker. It's just business.

Honestly, if this can be straightened out, I'd like to start trying to get my hands on more older models just because I consider them to be more authentic and of higher quality. But I'm still at a loss for someone who I could talk to who has ties to KM that could give me the real scoop. Hmm... I'm thinking John told me once that he knows some folks in the KM family. John, you still around? Mind helping me out with some information?