Originally Posted by Sho Nuff

The most important think about chosing a hookah is finding the right upper body. I recommend a solid peice of a brass without any fancy bends in the body. They may look good, but all they ultimately accomplish is deminishing your pull. Also, look for an upper that fits into the bottom without screwing it in. If those grooves are damaged, you will loose your tight seal. Look for a hookah upper with cloth wrapped around the bottom. Wetting that cloth and inserting the upper into the lower will give you best seal.

Make sure you get multiple heads as well because they have been know to break and leave smokers without options for loading tobacco unless they get creative (ie the apple mentioned above)

Get a pipe that you like and pulls well. Avoid the wooden ones. Look for brass. Get some caps to put on the end of the pipe if youll be smoking with shady characters.

Look for as much brass and glass as possible. Avoid the other materials.

Hope this helps. Anything else feel free to ask.