Tangiers In The Harmony Bowl

[Pavo21]

if anyone got one of these and wants to share it and whore it out, i'll take first shot and we can do reviews. or just test it out. Why bother? :) well mr Chris because I'm always curious. And people outside hookah forum always ask me questions about any and everything hookah related so.. It's nice to know how crappy items really are. And since tangier bowls are harder to come by I can just be like, "so there is a alternative and yes I said alternative to tangiers phunnels, so if ur in need this bowl will fill that time slot till u get one." That kinda situation happends a lot. ;)

[Chreees]

if anyone got one of these and wants to share it and whore it out, i'll take first shot and we can do reviews. or just test it out. Why bother? :) well mr Chris because I'm always curious. And people outside hookah forum always ask me questions about any and everything hookah related so.. It's nice to know how crappy items really are. And since tangier bowls are harder to come by I can just be like, "so there is a alternative and yes I said alternative to tangiers phunnels, so if ur in need this bowl will fill that time slot till u get one." That kinda situation happends a lot. ;)

 

Just recommend CrownHookahs' products. What I do. ;) Santino was atleast smart enough to make his phunnel bowls similar dimensions as Tangiers', so they at least smoke properly. With the Alien and Harmony, it's a wonder if there was even any R&D done previous to release...

[mavsfan31]

Don't you think that there would be some toes stepped if he were to use similar dimensions?

[mavsfan31]

The edit button isn't working for me so sorry about the double post. You really wonder about whether or not there was R&D done? What do you think he did? Do you think he just told his potter what to come up with and then he just turned around and sold it without testing different designs? That statement seems rather asinine.

[Pavo21]

The edit button isn't working for me so sorry about the double post. You really wonder about whether or not there was R&D done? What do you think he did? Do you think he just told his potter what to come up with and then he just turned around and sold it without testing different designs? That statement seems rather asinine.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if he had nothing do anything with this bowl. But just put his name on it. And Chris I do push people towards santinos work man like crazy!!! But, you can't get his stuff locally. We can get BANNED VENDOR crap it is sold at 2 smoke shops down here and you can do local pick up at his warehouse. Only reason. But yeah I might buy one use it and if its just as bad as the alien I will make a video of me breaking it ;)

Edited February 5, 2013 by Chreees
Banned Vendor mention.

[Chreees]

Don't you think that there would be some toes stepped if he were to use similar dimensions?

 
Have you seen any conflict between Eric and Santino? I haven't...
 

The edit button isn't working for me so sorry about the double post. You really wonder about whether or not there was R&D done? What do you think he did? Do you think he just told his potter what to come up with and then he just turned around and sold it without testing different designs? That statement seems rather asinine.

 
No, of course I don't. Apparently you didn't catch the humor in my post...
 
I shouldn't have expected you to, though. :rolleyes:
 
I'm sure he did R&D on this bowl. And I'm sure he did on the Alien as well. But fact is Eric has spent many years on the phunnel design, and has most definitely perfected its design, more or less. The man has a college degree that has helped in doing so. Extreme differences such as super wide and super shallow designs will always come off to me as just "trying to make it different enough" so that it isn't "just another copy." Therefore, while the bowls may smoke decently, I don't think they'll ever hold a candle to the true Tangiers phunnel bowls. This is why I have more respect for the copies that mimic the dimensions Eric has already put forth and proven work the best... as odd as that sounds. I'll explain- I know it's bad to copy someone else's hard work, but I think it pays more respect to Eric to use his dimensions and provide a better bowl than to use a phunnel design and change it enough so that it can be passed off as a just-as-good bowl. What's the saying... oh yeah, "imitation is the best form of flattery." Besides, there is a serious lack of Tangiers Phunnel bowls on the market these days, and I'd rather see my hookah brethren and sistren get bowls that will work as best as possible if they are not able to get their hands on a legit Tangiers bowl.
 
 

I wouldn't be surprised if he had nothing do anything with this bowl. But just put his name on it. And Chris I do push people towards santinos work man like crazy!!! But, you can't get his stuff locally. We can get BANNED VENDOR crap it is sold at 2 smoke shops down here and you can do local pick up at his warehouse. Only reason. But yeah I might buy one use it and if its just as bad as the alien I will make a video of me breaking it ;)

 

Man, Santino needs to branch out and get his products into shops in Cali. ;)

[Pavo21]

I agree if santino would have some places carry his pieces and artwork it would sell, ID. LOVE to carry his stuff in house but its expensive!

[Fouda]

Not so sure sistren is a word haha but I wholly agree with chreees about the imitation is the best form of flattery

[Rani]

May I point out that you don't get to new things without experimentation?  I distinctly doubt Eric came up with the phunnel on a AutoCad system and dimensions all correct and nicely down pat with the first casting.  I do believe that's why they call it research and development, n'est ce pas?  And versions 1 though God know how many.   There are too many variables with bowls which anyone would know if you've ever worked with sculpture media or ceramics.  Someone came up with a new design.  It may work, it may not work.  It may need refinement or a toss into the trash and a trip back to the drawing board.  It may work perfectly in the winter in Minnesota because of the particular combination of glazes, dimensions, and base material.  It may not work worth a damn in Minnesota  for the same reasons and yet work perfectly in summer in Palm Springs.  However, each person should be judging a product based solely on DOES IT WORK FOR YOU?  The Alien mentioned was specifically desigend for less of everything.  Not just less tobacco.  I hear you trashing it, but I know a few people who use it and love it because they can use only a few grams of tobacco and a half a cube coal.  And before you ask, no, I have never owned one.  But maybe the problem with it isn't its dimensions but your use of it, hmmm? 

 

Before we trash any product, we need to take a look at how we're using it.  Using something new with the same heat management, coals, tobaccos, etc., as you did a tried and true version means you're not treating it as what it is:  New and requiring a new approach.  These manufacturers, all manufacturers, work pretty long and hard on their products.  Before we just up and assume it's lousy, we need to first look at what we personally are doing that may not be giving us the best out of the product.  Remember that old thing about a hookah master can get ANY pipe to smoke well?  Then perhaps someone not getting the best out of a bowl, or pipe, should be back in hookah grade school, huh?

 

'Rani

[joytron]

May I point out that you don't get to new things without experimentation?  I distinctly doubt Eric came up with the phunnel on a AutoCad system and dimensions all correct and nicely down pat with the first casting.  I do believe that's why they call it research and development, n'est ce pas?  And versions 1 though God know how many.   There are too many variables with bowls which anyone would know if you've ever worked with sculpture media or ceramics.  Someone came up with a new design.  It may work, it may not work.  It may need refinement or a toss into the trash and a trip back to the drawing board.  It may work perfectly in the winter in Minnesota because of the particular combination of glazes, dimensions, and base material.  It may not work worth a damn in Minnesota  for the same reasons and yet work perfectly in summer in Palm Springs.  However, each person should be judging a product based solely on DOES IT WORK FOR YOU?  The Alien mentioned was specifically desigend for less of everything.  Not just less tobacco.  I hear you trashing it, but I know a few people who use it and love it because they can use only a few grams of tobacco and a half a cube coal.  And before you ask, no, I have never owned one.  But maybe the problem with it isn't its dimensions but your use of it, hmmm? 

 

Before we trash any product, we need to take a look at how we're using it.  Using something new with the same heat management, coals, tobaccos, etc., as you did a tried and true version means you're not treating it as what it is:  New and requiring a new approach.  These manufacturers, all manufacturers, work pretty long and hard on their products.  Before we just up and assume it's lousy, we need to first look at what we personally are doing that may not be giving us the best out of the product.  Remember that old thing about a hookah master can get ANY pipe to smoke well?  Then perhaps someone not getting the best out of a bowl, or pipe, should be back in hookah grade school, huh?

 

'Rani

 

While I get your point, I do hope you seem the irony of your post.

[mustang67n]

You make two good points there, rani.. everyone has good points..

 

I think it looks ugly

[Pavo21]

lol it does look kind of ugly lol 

 

but we all know it took eric years to make the perfect bowl. i mean no ones perfect but eric would beg to differ im sure lol. but i agree with some things rani said everyone does everything JUST a little different and might work for them but not me and vis versa.

 

So..that is kinda why i wanna try the bowl.  

 

But i still hate the alien bowl. i dont like it and thats my opinion.

[Coyote]

Tangiers bowls work better for Tangiers than any other bowl. Thats a given. I don't think anyone really disagrees with that, do they? Perhaps there are a handful that prefer the Alien but that isn't what this thread is about. 

 

Anyway, Some people like having that intense flavour punch that you get with the Alien and now the Harmony. Some people like a very round and balanced flavour. To each their own. Plus not everyone is able get phunnels right now... discussing the other options on the market doesn't seem to be a bad idea. Yeah Crown bowls are awesome too but the intention of this thread was to find out what people think of the Harmony, how its being used, and how results compare to other bowls. 

 

Harmony bowl isn't my go to bowl but it gives better results than other Non-Tangiers bowls imo. In its own brand line I would place it last FSB>Alien>Harmony. Most people put the alien first because their FSB isn't as awesome as mine. 

 

I have been experimenting with mixes and have found that I get better results premixing rather than layering or sectioning the tobacco into different compartments. 

 

After having a few weeks with this bowl I stand by my 6.5 rating. 

[Coyote]

Yeah, we talked about it and decided that is the best route. For now, anyway. We want to remain a free and open forum.

 

Katie- Don't people use the Alien for steam stones? That's even shallower than the Harmony.

 

People generally use a Tangiers phunnel for Shiazo stones I believe... I would ask Shiazo.

[Chreees]

I agree if santino would have some places carry his pieces and artwork it would sell, ID. LOVE to carry his stuff in house but its expensive!

 

His designer pieces are pricey, but rightfully so, IMO. The artwork and time it takes to make each piece justifies his asking price. But the lower-end (price wise, not quality) pieces are really good for selling in shops, I think. You could carry the Orb, Pacifier, etc. and probably sell them no problem. I could see selling the designer pieces being a little harder, though.

 

Not so sure sistren is a word haha but I wholly agree with chreees about the imitation is the best form of flattery

 

Haha, yeah it is. It was used to describe the plural of sisters (like brethren) back in the day. I'm sure Mush is familiar with it. :)

 

May I point out that you don't get to new things without experimentation?  I distinctly doubt Eric came up with the phunnel on a AutoCad system and dimensions all correct and nicely down pat with the first casting.  I do believe that's why they call it research and development, n'est ce pas?  And versions 1 though God know how many.   There are too many variables with bowls which anyone would know if you've ever worked with sculpture media or ceramics.  Someone came up with a new design.  It may work, it may not work.  It may need refinement or a toss into the trash and a trip back to the drawing board.  It may work perfectly in the winter in Minnesota because of the particular combination of glazes, dimensions, and base material.  It may not work worth a damn in Minnesota  for the same reasons and yet work perfectly in summer in Palm Springs.  However, each person should be judging a product based solely on DOES IT WORK FOR YOU?  The Alien mentioned was specifically desigend for less of everything.  Not just less tobacco.  I hear you trashing it, but I know a few people who use it and love it because they can use only a few grams of tobacco and a half a cube coal.  And before you ask, no, I have never owned one.  But maybe the problem with it isn't its dimensions but your use of it, hmmm? 

 

Before we trash any product, we need to take a look at how we're using it.  Using something new with the same heat management, coals, tobaccos, etc., as you did a tried and true version means you're not treating it as what it is:  New and requiring a new approach.  These manufacturers, all manufacturers, work pretty long and hard on their products.  Before we just up and assume it's lousy, we need to first look at what we personally are doing that may not be giving us the best out of the product.  Remember that old thing about a hookah master can get ANY pipe to smoke well?  Then perhaps someone not getting the best out of a bowl, or pipe, should be back in hookah grade school, huh?

 

'Rani

 

I get what you're saying Rani, but why do I always see people in YouTube videos throwing 3 to 4 coconut coals on the Alien? Mainly the maker of the bowl itself... If it's supposed to use less of everything, then why do people use more coals?

 

I actually purchased it and tried it. I used it alongside my Tangiers Mini Phunnel and found it to be inferior. A lot of people agreed with me when I made a comparison thread. It's difficult to pack due to the shallowness (tobacco tends to slide out the sides, whereas with Eric's dimensions there actually a trench to pack the tobacco into), and because it is so shallow yet so wide heat management is way more difficult than it should be (too much surface area versus depth). I've seen people who like it admit that it is harder to get right in terms of packing and heat management. A good bowl shouldn't be like that.

 

For the people who like it- good. I'm glad that they do. But in my opinion, it's not my use of it. Rather it's just an inferior bowl.

 

I don't agree with the "go back to hookah grade school" comment... Why torture myself by using inferior products when I already know what works best? :) I will continue using what I feel are the best products on the market, and recommend others do as well.                                                                                                                    

Tangiers bowls work better for Tangiers than any other bowl. Thats a given. I don't think anyone really disagrees with that, do they? Perhaps there are a handful that prefer the Alien but that isn't what this thread is about. 

 

Anyway, Some people like having that intense flavour punch that you get with the Alien and now the Harmony. Some people like a very round and balanced flavour. To each their own. Plus not everyone is able get phunnels right now... discussing the other options on the market doesn't seem to be a bad idea. Yeah Crown bowls are awesome too but the intention of this thread was to find out what people think of the Harmony, how its being used, and how results compare to other bowls. 

 

Harmony bowl isn't my go to bowl but it gives better results than other Non-Tangiers bowls imo. In its own brand line I would place it last FSB>Alien>Harmony. Most people put the alien first because their FSB isn't as awesome as mine. 

 

I have been experimenting with mixes and have found that I get better results premixing rather than layering or sectioning the tobacco into different compartments. 

 

After having a few weeks with this bowl I stand by my 6.5 rating. 

 

Intense flavor (American spelling, :P ) punch? Please, explain what you mean and why you think it is so from these two bowls. I obviously haven't tried to Harmony, but the Alien gave me no such thing, IIRC.

[Fouda]

Sorry for doubting chreees! Rani made me feel bad haha :P now I may change my thoughts. I think you shouldn't diss something till you try it. If it flops and is absolutly terrible then post a review up here and be done with it
My two pennies

[Chreees]

Sorry for doubting chreees! Rani made me feel bad haha :P now I may change my thoughts. I think you shouldn't diss something till you try it. If it flops and is absolutly terrible then post a review up here and be done with it
My two pennies

 

By all means, doubt me. I think it's healthy to debate and disagree on things. The world would be quite bland if we all agreed with each other and liked the same things. :)

 

I won't be trying this one based solely off of my experience with the Alien. If anyone does want to put up a proper review though, place it here:

 

http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/49765-harmony-phunnel-bowl/

 

Also, I gotta go through this thread and remove the banned vendor's name a time or two... If anyone places a review, please be sure to leave out the banned vendor's name, if you purchased it from there (I dunno if the Harmony is available at other vendors or not yet). Thanks.

[Woodsytheowl]

May I point out that you don't get to new things without experimentation?  I distinctly doubt Eric came up with the phunnel on a AutoCad system and dimensions all correct and nicely down pat with the first casting.  I do believe that's why they call it research and development, n'est ce pas?  And versions 1 though God know how many.   There are too many variables with bowls which anyone would know if you've ever worked with sculpture media or ceramics.  Someone came up with a new design.  It may work, it may not work.  It may need refinement or a toss into the trash and a trip back to the drawing board.  It may work perfectly in the winter in Minnesota because of the particular combination of glazes, dimensions, and base material.  It may not work worth a damn in Minnesota  for the same reasons and yet work perfectly in summer in Palm Springs.  However, each person should be judging a product based solely on DOES IT WORK FOR YOU?  The Alien mentioned was specifically desigend for less of everything.  Not just less tobacco.  I hear you trashing it, but I know a few people who use it and love it because they can use only a few grams of tobacco and a half a cube coal.  And before you ask, no, I have never owned one.  But maybe the problem with it isn't its dimensions but your use of it, hmmm? 

 

Before we trash any product, we need to take a look at how we're using it.  Using something new with the same heat management, coals, tobaccos, etc., as you did a tried and true version means you're not treating it as what it is:  New and requiring a new approach.  These manufacturers, all manufacturers, work pretty long and hard on their products.  Before we just up and assume it's lousy, we need to first look at what we personally are doing that may not be giving us the best out of the product.  Remember that old thing about a hookah master can get ANY pipe to smoke well?  Then perhaps someone not getting the best out of a bowl, or pipe, should be back in hookah grade school, huh?

 

'Rani

 

I guess I just do not see anything truly gound breaking with these phunnel-esque bowls. This is especially true with the harmony. It seems that these bowls are going in the direction of replication rather than innovation. I also want to say that Eric wasn't opposed to other vendors making phunnels since it was going to be inevitable anyway (I may be mistaken on that, though). Either way, I plan on supporting the original creator in so far as he continues his sound business practices.

[Chreees]

May I point out that you don't get to new things without experimentation?  I distinctly doubt Eric came up with the phunnel on a AutoCad system and dimensions all correct and nicely down pat with the first casting.  I do believe that's why they call it research and development, n'est ce pas?  And versions 1 though God know how many.   There are too many variables with bowls which anyone would know if you've ever worked with sculpture media or ceramics.  Someone came up with a new design.  It may work, it may not work.  It may need refinement or a toss into the trash and a trip back to the drawing board.  It may work perfectly in the winter in Minnesota because of the particular combination of glazes, dimensions, and base material.  It may not work worth a damn in Minnesota  for the same reasons and yet work perfectly in summer in Palm Springs.  However, each person should be judging a product based solely on DOES IT WORK FOR YOU?  The Alien mentioned was specifically desigend for less of everything.  Not just less tobacco.  I hear you trashing it, but I know a few people who use it and love it because they can use only a few grams of tobacco and a half a cube coal.  And before you ask, no, I have never owned one.  But maybe the problem with it isn't its dimensions but your use of it, hmmm? 

 

Before we trash any product, we need to take a look at how we're using it.  Using something new with the same heat management, coals, tobaccos, etc., as you did a tried and true version means you're not treating it as what it is:  New and requiring a new approach.  These manufacturers, all manufacturers, work pretty long and hard on their products.  Before we just up and assume it's lousy, we need to first look at what we personally are doing that may not be giving us the best out of the product.  Remember that old thing about a hookah master can get ANY pipe to smoke well?  Then perhaps someone not getting the best out of a bowl, or pipe, should be back in hookah grade school, huh?

 

'Rani

 

I guess I just do not see anything truly gound breaking with these phunnel-esque bowls. This is especially true with the harmony. It seems that these bowls are going in the direction of replication rather than innovation. I also want to say that Eric wasn't opposed to other vendors making phunnels since it was going to be inevitable anyway (I may be mistaken on that, though). Either way, I plan on supporting the original creator in so far as he continues his sound business practices.

 

I recall seeing the same information, posted by Eric himself either here or on his forum, long ago.

 

I too always rep/support the true Tangiers Phunnel bowls. They'll always be the best you can get. But if you're going to buy a copy, I'm going to recommend the ones that most closely replicate the best ones made. Just makes sense...

[mattarios2]

For sure!

[mushrat]

ok..this is getting so far off target as to be unnecessary. Go Jack a different thread.....

[Coyote]

Intense flavor (American spelling, :P ) punch? Please, explain what you mean and why you think it is so from these two bowls. I obviously haven't tried to Harmony, but the Alien gave me no such thing, IIRC.

 

^ Thats what Chreees said.. I don't know if its me or my computer fucking up this quoting system. Its not like it used to be.

 

I'm saying that the flavour is more intense because there is concentrated heat surrounding a thin layer of tobacco. The more volatile compounds in the flavour are vaporized faster and released. This brand of bowl all follows relatively the same concept... shallow and with a spire. So you have the coals heat giving off heat, which is distributed across the foil and transferred to the surface of the tobacco where it begins to vaporize. The clay also heats up and adds to the vaporization. So you have a thin layer of tobacco surrounded by heat. The volatile compounds vaporize first.

 

To a certain extent it is true in the Tangiers Phunnels. People frequently tell me that the first 15 minutes or so of smoking is alittle intense and then it calls down and balances out. Thats because of the dimensions of the bowl. 

 

For example, smoking horchata in the Alien/FSB/Harmony is going to give more of the brilliant cinnamon tones but lack the depth of the creaminess that the Tangiers Phunnel would give.

 

Its kinda like Kool-Aid... some people like it real intense so they don't put as much water in it. Some people like it how its supposed to taste so they go by the recommended recipe. Some people just don't know what they are doing and just throw it in some water and try to figure it out from there... 

[Chreees]

I get what you're saying. I didn't experience that with the Alien, but I'll be curious to see if anybody does with the Harmony.

I'm more of a balanced Kool-Aid guy myself. My wife on the other hand likes to load that shit up with sugar and more flavor. :lol:

[joytron]

I get what you're saying. I didn't experience that with the Alien, but I'll be curious to see if anybody does with the Harmony.

I'm more of a balanced Kool-Aid guy myself. My wife on the other hand likes to load that shit up with sugar and more flavor. :lol:

 

 

I like mine super watered down, what does that say about my hookah preferences?

[Dereksd]

I prefer my #7 bowl as it uses less tobacco than an alien (a gen 3 I what im speaking of. They were deeper and the best design of all the batches) but before the #7, the alien was my go to bowl. I could get 2 hours out of it easily with 2 rounds of 2 coals. The harmony is a good bowl also. It just uses a little too much tobacco for my liking and same with coal. It does help to ease fickle flavors.

 

tl;dr version

 

If you know how to pack, you can make an alien/harmony smoke just as well as a bowl of comprable size.