Hookah Suggestion For A First Time Buyer

[hookahbo0]

Hey all,

 

New to the forum, been smoking hookah for many years, but this will be my first time buying one.

 

I've been looking at sites like 5starhookah and hooka-shisha, but there are just so many hookahs that I'm having trouble picking one.

 

I realize there is no best hookah, but I am simply looking for some suggestions. So far, I've looked mainly at Syrian, Egyptian, and Turkish hookahs..but I am open to other types as well.

 

Looking to spend around $200-$350

 

Thanks all

[Nerdy]

Here is my advice

Turks - beautiful, heavy, solid and very much worth the price. Remember that Turk pipes do not have purge valves, which might be off putting to some folk, so you won't be able to easily clear your base, if smoke gets harsh. The thing that makes these great is the hoses they come with and how the restriction is while taking a drag. You can find an Elmas or To kel very easily. Othmani is another good and reputable brand out there.

Syrians - excellent, heavy, ornately crafted pipe, most "Syrian" pipes now seem to be mid grade knock offs, true Syrian pipes are harder to find and won't be on a vendor site. Your best bet would be via forum purchase or eBay. These pipes will have the tightest draw, I love that about my nawras, it makes it feel like im actually smoking something.

Egyptians - Readily available, handcrafted, wide draw type of pipe. Most every vendor will carry 3-4 brands of these. A very good starting point, great for new folk and can become collectibles to the veterans of the smoke. The right Egyptian pipe is my eyes willbe the best wwork horse for you. Parts, hoses, bases, bowls, stem, all are so much more easily available then any other style of traditional pipe out there.

Take my advice as you wish, and welcome!!

[hookahbo0]

Here is my advice

Turks - beautiful, heavy, solid and very much worth the price. Remember that Turk pipes do not have purge valves, which might be off putting to some folk, so you won't be able to easily clear your base, if smoke gets harsh. The thing that makes these great is the hoses they come with and how the restriction is while taking a drag. You can find an Elmas or To kel very easily. Othmani is another good and reputable brand out there.

Syrians - excellent, heavy, ornately crafted pipe, most "Syrian" pipes now seem to be mid grade knock offs, true Syrian pipes are harder to find and won't be on a vendor site. Your best bet would be via forum purchase or eBay. These pipes will have the tightest draw, I love that about my nawras, it makes it feel like im actually smoking something.

Egyptians - Readily available, handcrafted, wide draw type of pipe. Most every vendor will carry 3-4 brands of these. A very good starting point, great for new folk and can become collectibles to the veterans of the smoke. The right Egyptian pipe is my eyes willbe the best wwork horse for you. Parts, hoses, bases, bowls, stem, all are so much more easily available then any other style of traditional pipe out there.

Take my advice as you wish, and welcome!!

Thank you for your advice! :)

[mustang67n]

Hey all,

 

New to the forum, been smoking hookah for many years, but this will be my first time buying one.

 

I've been looking at sites like 5starhookah and hooka-shisha, but there are just so many hookahs that I'm having trouble picking one.

 

I realize there is no best hookah, but I am simply looking for some suggestions. So far, I've looked mainly at Syrian, Egyptian, and Turkish hookahs..but I am open to other types as well.

 

Looking to spend around $200-$350

 

Thanks all

$200-$350 is a lot for a hookah. That price range will fit great for Turkish pipes though, they can be pretty 'spensive.

I LOVE my syrians, they're by far my favorites seconded by the solid brass Egyptians. The syrians tend to have a tighter draw, like nerdy said, and I love that. The Egyptians are a much more open draw and are more easily accessible, but syrians and turks are becomeing easier to access now too.

 

You'll be happy with any of the choices though. I've never owned a Turkish pipe, but Smoking from them is an experience, they are very solid builds with a comfortable draw.

[Chreees]

Syrians are my favorite, but they're a bit hard to come by these days. I recommend a good Egyptian (Khalil Mamoon), Turkish (Elmas or Tokel), or Mya Saray (the only Chinese brand worth buying).

[Fatalshizot]

Also just consider where and how you'll be using it, such as if you want something for portability or something to sit on a desk while you do work you may not want a 30"+ monster

[Pavo21]

i love my km and mya and elmas so its hard for me to give a real get this stuff, but i recommend the same stuff as above.

[CO_hookah]

I'd say buy a Mya QT and spend the rest on shisha galore :)

[Chreees]

Yeah, you really can't go wrong with a Mya QT. Unless you just have to spend more money for your hookah, it's really the best way to go, especially when you're starting out.

[Fatalshizot]

As far as bang for your buck and versatility I would agree on a QT, spend the rest on tobacco and grab yourself a tang bowl while they're in stock right now (a few online vendors got pico's)

[Skoozle]

http://ultimatehookah.com/KM-Shamshadan-Single-2377.htm

This is the best I could find online to recommend, although I wouldn't want to pay $120 for it. With that being said, you would sill have a couple hundred left over for tobacco, coals, hoses and bowls which are important for a good smoke.

That is a solid pipe all the way out to the hose port. Weapons grade function over form. I have this one and it's one of my go to pipes.

If you want to spend more on one that is more decorative, that's your business.

If you want to spend your whole $350 on the pipe, go for a Turkish pipe that you like.

[A Sharrp SYBIAN]

I'd start with something like this for my 1st hookah http://www.cahookah.com/hookahs/syrian-hookahs/nour-screw-on-hookah-27.html or this http://www.cahookah.com/hookahs/syrian-hookahs/nour-syrian-brass-hookah-style-21b.html or this http://www.cahookah.com/hookahs/syrian-hookahs/nour-syrian-brass-hookah-style-6b.html I actually own this pipe but i paid a lot more for mine :-( 

 

I am not very familiar with CAhookah  but they have the best prices i'd seen on certain things and im a Syrian pipe fanatic! these all cost 90-100 then you have about 200 to spend on extra hoses bowls and tobacco :-) Also you can never go wrong with a Nour  any Syrian for that matter I love My nour! 

Edited July 18, 2013 by A Sharrp SYBIAN

[mustang67n]

Hey!!! That first one you linked is what I have!!! haha

 

Mine's a bit older though. Great pipe, but since it screws together it's developed a leak around the threads. Also the metal collar on the base has come unglued a few times :/ i'd suggest the 2nd or 3rd ones that ASharpSybian linked over the first one IMO

[â€On]

Hey!!! That first one you linked is what I have!!! haha

 

Mine's a bit older though. Great pipe, but since it screws together it's developed a leak around the threads. Also the metal collar on the base has come unglued a few times :/ i'd suggest the 2nd or 3rd ones that ASharpSybian linked over the first one IMO

Get some Teflon pipe thread "tape" (the white stuff in a blue roll). Do 2-3 tight wraps around the threads. Rip off the tape and smooth it out, cutting off excess if the threads are very short. Also, make sure that when you wrap it, you hold the pipe in your left hand, with the threads pointed towards your right hand and wrap with your right hand. Wrap over the top away from you. This will ensure that when you screw it into the other pipe pieces it won't roll back on itself. Seriously, I'm a journeyman plumber, trust me on this one.

 

[A Sharrp SYBIAN]

Hey!!! That first one you linked is what I have!!! haha

 

Mine's a bit older though. Great pipe, but since it screws together it's developed a leak around the threads. Also the metal collar on the base has come unglued a few times :/ i'd suggest the 2nd or 3rd ones that ASharpSybian linked over the first one IMO

 

        Thanks for the imput Nate. Yea bro if nate says it i'd take his advice i never owned that screw in syrian pipe but i have owned the other 2 sold 1 still have 1 THose are great pieps stay away from the screw in. "i almost made that mistake" lol But yea those other 2 syrians are solid heavy pipes that will last forever yo ucant go wrong on either and have plenty of spending money left for bowls hoses and shisha!