PHX variety

[wadejason]

so i found this little novelty shop, wouldnt have ever even noticed it if it wasnt for my buddy working at big lots next door. i finally got in there, thinking i knew every smoke shop in town and practically being buddies with every owner...but not this one. not only was it bigger than i though but it was the second shop (other than my main one) that had PHX's at. ive yet to see Roor's or Illadelps (spelled that wrong i just know it) or G-Spot or any name brand except for PHX. id probably think of getting a roor if it had percs but ive yet to find one.

what i wanted to say really though was this. at my old/main smoke shop where i got my phx, they carry the beaker bottoms (ie:http://www.everyonedoesit.co.uk/online_headshop/Little_Sister_IceMaster_Cup.cfm?iProductID=1577) and the cylindar bottom(ie:http://www.everyonedoesit.co.uk/online_headshop/Roor_Bong_250.cfm?iProductID=1569). i have a beaker bottom duo (2 percs and splashguard) and i was thinking of getting either a trinity or tetra in the 2 and a half footer size. but the problem is now i have 3 choices. this place has the bubble bottom(ie:http://www.everyonedoesit.co.uk/online_headshop/Glass_Bong_Boxed.cfm?iProductID=2087) too and i cant figure out if i actually really like them...or just are attracted to it because its the bottom ive never seen until now.

i have a month or so to think about it...but im thinking the bubble bottom because it'll lean on the carpet easier than the cylindar or beaker when im kicking back on the couch...at the same time i havent ever seen anyone else with the bubble so i just want to be different and new too. but when i thought i was thinking too much into it, i though well the beaker is so phx-esque so maybe i should stay with it...and the cylindar one is very roor-ish which i like too....

i know its only 3 choices and it doesnt really matter but....HELP? haha opinions would be appreciated. thanks!!!

[Jeph]

get the little sister, it's a solid little bong. Friend use to have one and I smoked it a fair amount.

[wadejason]

haha...but i want a phx? hah

just in case no one got it, those links were just there to illustrate the difference in bong 'bottoms' cylindar/beaker/bubble. im not actually looking to buy any of the links i posted.

[Jeph]

oh haha, I'm just an idiot.

To the actual question I'd say beaker bottom. I made sure my illadelph had a beaker, and I didn't even consider a flat bottom, cylinderical, whatever when I was looking at them.

[s2headhunter]

flat bottom dude

[wadejason]

by flat bottom you mean the roor like one? the straight cylindar right?

if so do you have a reason? im curious...

[wadejason]

ive been pondering about it all day and i this is what ive come up with.

the bubble bottom is something i never saw until i found this new shop, only heard of it but now i can see it. i was leaning toward this one because it was the type of phx that i never see anyone buying so i thought maybe itd be cool to get that cuz of that reason, then i thought...phx's are superior bongs and stand alone i think sooo....why would i spent that much money on a type that looks just like every other bong!? i mean it seems 90% of the bongs out there are bubble bottoms. also i think if i go with the really tall one i think i can only get 1 perc and splashguard and thats lame.

then i thought about the beaker bottom, maybe i should stick with what i have ya know? not only can i get a trinity or tetra with the beaker but its scientific looking and thats the reason why i bought a beaker duo in the first place...but why would i wanna buy the same thing again? just taller and new percs.

then i thought about the straight/cylindar or "flat bottom" as s2headhunter put it (if im correct thats what he was infering) and ive never really like them much...not disliked them though, just never liked them. then i thought well i can get it in tall, and with trinity or tetra percs and my old place has them so i may get a better deal. also i thought roors all have this bottom and i hear nothing but good things about how roors work...so maybe i should get a phx with the "flat bottom". tall, more percs and roor like. sounds good to me.

comments? suggestions?

[KiEfBoyjBm]

I have owned 3 bongs and and innumerable amount of other pieces in my life, and with a few exceptions all have been of different styles and sizes. That is something that I stress before I even consider buying a new piece. It needs to provide new functionality. If you are going to get basically the same setup you have now, just a bit taller, why even bother? I think that if you are going to go through the trouble and expense of getting a new bong, try something you haven't had before. Maybe a Roor, maybe a lot taller one, maybe a really heady, decorative one. And speaking from experience, once you get more than one piece that provide identical functionality, you will pick a favorite one and the others will just collect dust. This is just my opinion though.

[wadejason]

i agree and i would love to invest in a roor but i think they are super overpriced and im willing to pay a good amount, i mean im not a cheap buyer. BUT if i do get a roor i want some percs in it and no one can seem to tell me where i can get a roor with percs. all i see is the basic ones that they sell on everybodydoesit.com and im not sure i wanna buy a piece like a roor without some percs. thats not to say i wouldnt buy a regular roor some day because i think look like really good hitting bongs but im so in love with my phx and i have only one perc so if i get a roor...itd have to have percs...but since i cant find roors with percs anywhere...i wont get one?

hah i think eventually ill just end up getting a super tall phx with like 2 or 3 percs with the cylindar bottom. with anyone can tell me where to get a perc roor I WOULD GLADLY APPRECIATE IT haha

[KiEfBoyjBm]

I have heard of and seen Roors with at least one perc and maybe a second one if I remember correctly. It may have been custom work...measured to fit a Roor but blown by some glass blower.

Also, Have you ever considered any of the Hurricane bongs, I have heard that their design rivals that of Roors, although I have not had the pleasure of judging for myself. Another type which a friend of mine owns is called a "phaseline", not sure of the spelling. He got in Dallas, TX. It consists of four 1 foot tall pieces which you can stack to change its design up to 4 feet tall. It's all glass on glass, I have just hit it once, but it reminded me of my first Roor hit. :stoned:

I do like your enthusiasm about your dream phx, I hope that you find just the right one.

[wadejason]

well my buddy has a dream thing for a huricane but they seem to expensive and a little on the edge for me. probably later down the line. im kinda interested in how they work using connetic energy or something? ive recently found out only american roors have percs, compared to the normal german roors (like the ones sold on EDIT) im not sure about this stacking bong that your buddyhad but it sounds quite intersting haha, not sure id want a 4 footer but if its g on g like you say, could be a trip. also its great to hear someone call it enthusiasm instead of obsession. haha most people most even think of spending more than 100 bucks on a glass piece, they think that roors and phx and all those are just name brands but the few of us that appreciate glass and everything about it dont really judge a piece by the dollar amount. thanks for your help though man.

[KiEfBoyjBm]

I know exactly what you mean, its more than a name brand.

The way I rationalize it:

An oz of fine marijuana can run me anywhere from $250-$400, If bought all at once it may last a month or so, at the end of the month you are left with some stems, a seed or two, and very likely some high times...which will soon be fleeting memories.

A quality piece can cost as much as you want, but the ones we were discussing are about the same perhaps a bit less than what the oz would run. How long will this investment last...indefinitely. I could probably make a MasterCard commercial out of it.

Sack of dank= $300

Bic lighter=$1.50

Handpicking your very own multiple filtration, glass on glass bong...priceless

[Tokudai]

Roor percs are only made by Roor USA, out of Los Angeles, and they dont get spread out but for a couple hundred miles for the most part.. (San Fran-> San Diego). It's extremely rare to find them outside the area, and they will be expensive.

PHX makes a killer piece, but IMHO don't really like the perc design. For my style of smoking most of the time it has a little too much drag, plus cleaning the multiple percs can be a bitch if you don't do it immediately after a use or a couple.

I think the most important part of the bong is the glass on glass seal (instead of a rubber grommet), which limits you to only a handful of manufacturers. Even the no-name glass on glass bongs are solid pieces for the most part - the seals seem to be of similar manufacture and quality. Plus you can interchange bowls and downstems/diffusers most of the time..

Speaking of obsession....
I have 7 (!) bongs (and 5 or 6 other glass pipes) (3 Roors, ADS, ZOB, and 2 more no names). 6 of the bongs are Glass on Glass and for the most part, I can't tell much of a difference between the seals of the roors, and the others. The Roors are straighter on their bases, don't wobble at all,are more symmetrical (like with the ice pinches), and the "welds" just seem cleaner and more perfect than most of the others. Probably due to the brand name, and a little better quality control. But my $65 ZOB 18" 18mm straight hits as good as, or even better, than my $250 18" 18mm custom Roor bubble.

[wadejason]

i live in sacramento capital of CA and youd think one of the 7 or 8 smoke shops i know SOMEONE WOULD CARRY A ROOR. perc or no perc. but maybe when i have some cash in the future ill head to LA for a reason. and personally i love phx. i love the percs and ive never had a problem cleaning. that i AM obsessed with, cleaning my glass. and i agree glass on glass is 10x better than glass and grommet seals. im a pretty good observer and i take my time before purchasing a piece that expensive so what are some things to look for Tokudai? you mentioned the glass on glass seal being good and checking how straight the base is and the symetric ice notches (even though i dont use ice, i use just hot water) and checking the "welds" or joints as i call them. since i think im gonna shoot for the tall trinity straight tube style phx ill have to keep all that in mind. i probably wont be getting this til xmas but its good to plan cuz itll be here as soon as you know it. ill have to post a pic eventually of my phx duo and all. and please if you guys have some high end stuff id love to see it!

thanks for the constant feedback fellas.

[Tokudai]

Hmm Sac - SF isn't that far a run, i'm pretty sure you could find one there. You could also call a Dementia headshop in the LA area, and find out if/where they ship 'em out to..They have the exclusive rights and access to the Roor USA line IIRC


Depending on what style/brand of glass you are getting, check the glass for clarity, uniform thickness, weight (should weigh a good bit).. on a frosted piece make sure its clean and uniform. If its got a logo or label, make sure its straight and centered when applicable. Anywhere glass has been fused together or heated (ie "welds) - tube to base, Rim around smoking end, bubble/beaker bottom, tube to GONG joint etc etc - make sure there are no bubbles or imperfections - (note that if they are not structural, and if you are willing to live with them, they can be used to barter...) Check that the base is flat and straight - On my Roors, it is perfectly flat, but the ZOB you can slide a business card a bit under one side when on the table. Make sure the GONG fittings do not wobble when seated. Make sure they have spare parts available (you WILL break a stem ;) ) Make sure it comes with a proper length downstem to reach almost the base of the unit - so you can control water levels better - better yet get a diffuser. Get a few glass screens. I prefer to go with an 18mm GONG joint instead of the 14mm - you can always size down, and the 18MM clears so much quicker. Sometimes 18mm stuff is hard to find though..

Heres a pic of my collection - the Zob is in rotation right now so its filthy. Lemme know if you want to see more and I'll start a thread with individual pics so as not to hijack yours

[EmoRebellion]

Wow, amazing pic Tokudai! How do you keep your percs so clean? I have a double perc, and I cant for the life of me get that resin out.

[Tokudai]

The percs I clean immediately after the session, by the next morning at the latest. Soak it in hot hot water and oxyclean or dishwashing soap for a few mins, then use denatured alcohol and kosher salt, and shake the crap out of it for a few mins, Rinse, repeat if necessary. The key is to clean them as soon as you can

[EmoRebellion]

Oh.. I try to clean my used pieces every couple weeks at the longest with rubbing alcohol and salt. The problem is my percs have been dirty for a couple months now because its so hard to get them clean. Its too tall to fit in the sink to soak, what should I do? I guess I can it at a slant with just the neck in the water..

[KiEfBoyjBm]

Tokudai...it would be great if you could post more pics of your pieces in a new thread or whatever...You have a great collection...and some superior cleaning skills as well. :thumbsup:

[Tokudai]

Oh.. I try to clean my used pieces every couple weeks at the longest with rubbing alcohol and salt. The problem is my percs have been dirty for a couple months now because its so hard to get them clean. Its too tall to fit in the sink to soak, what should I do? I guess I can it at a slant with just the neck in the water..

I have a couple of glass plugs for the stem holes, so ya pop one in and then you can fill it to the top if you want, to soak.. Can you fit it in the dishwasher? Take the top shelf out and run it on the bottom on the hot cycle. Or the bathtub?

Try Denatured alcohol instead of rubbing alcohol - no comparison to the cleaning power unless you are already using 99% Isopropyl

[wadejason]

i need to get some joint plugs so i can just throw some formula 420 cleaner and the plug and clean with my hand over the top much easier. i clean my stuff regulary.