Bongs

Bong Manufacturers

The bong enthusiast often has their favourite brand of bong, and will often argue to the grave about their features, quality and why they are the best. But each brand, like car manufacturers, has their unique selling point, and its about finding the right one for you.

Some bong manufacturers, Such as Grace Glass offer innovative design and function that you may not find from other brands, where as others such as RooR offer quality and strength. Each brand has their own qualities that are attractive to each individual, such as funky designs and cool branding like the Chongz range.

Some people even reject the mass produced branded bongs, and choose to go for bespoke, artistic and individual pieces made by a specific glass blowing artist. Some bongs are made in smaller handmade batches, where as others are made in huge quantities and then branded afterwards by anybody who wants their own range of bongs and this often effects the quality of the final products.

Really, its all subjective and its worth spending a short time researching different bong manufacturers to find the perfect one for you, although if you are taken back by the aesthetic or function of a specific brand, and think its the right one for you, then go with your gut instinct.

Glass or Acrylic?

The Glass or Acrylic question is one we get asked very often here at Shiva. And, like the previous question, the answer isnt simple as it is completely subjective.

There are benefits and downfalls to both, for example, glass is extremely breakable so, if you are terminally clumsy its probably not the best idea to get a glass bong as youll be replacing it often, and that can certainly add up! On the other hand, Acrylic is porous, meaning it stains easily, is harder to clean and retains smell. Unlike glass which is taste neutral and wont hold any smell once it has been cleaned.

Some people praise glass as being super easy to clean, as you can clean it to an almost brand new state by using solvents such as Isopropyl Alcohol or Bong cleaners such as Gunge Off. Whereas Acrylic is a bit more difficult to clean to the same level, and requires more hands on abrasive cleaning with fewer chemicals, and even then it will still retain some stains and smell.

So in conclusion, if you are looking for a more permanent piece, glass Is always best. But if you need a cheap disposable piece, that you can take all over the place with you, then acrylic may be right for you.

Cheap Or Expensive Bongs, Which One?

Bongs can range in price from around £5 all the way up to £2000 depending on the quality, brand, complexity and added extras. Weve even seen bongs coated in gold leaf and encrusted with diamonds! It all depends on your budget and how and where it will be used.

More expensive bongs generally offer high quality materials and have had more time spent on the production.

Handmade bongs, made by glass artists, are generally a lot more expensive, as you are paying for the glass blower/artists labour time. The amount and quality of the material is also a deciding factor, for example a thick borosilicate glass piece will cost a lot more than a thin acrylic bong. Added extras also factor into the price of a bong, such as percolators and ash catchers, colour and fuming as they add more time, resources and skill to the manufacturing process.

It also comes down to comfort and performance. Some people like to know that they have invested money into their hobby, and enjoy the comfort and performance of a more expensive bong. Some people see bongs as art, as handmade bongs can take on many shapes and forms, and are willing to invest in them as art collectors would in paintings. Where as other people prefer to spend their money on other things, and settle for an affordable yet functional piece.

What Bong Is Right For Me?

There are a few deciding factors when it comes to picking the right bong for you, such as your circumstances, budget and even how clumsy you can be. The amount of choice when choosing a bong can seem somewhat daunting, Glass or Acrylic? Big? Small? Percolator? We have a massive range at Shiva and hopefully something to suit everybodys needs.

Most bongs function in the same way, by creating a vessel for smoke to be filtered through water, reducing the amount of water soluble tar and toxins from the smoke by around 50%, as well as removing the need to combust rolling papers. Now you know the basics, what bong is right for you? Well, depending on your circumstances you may want to own a small discrete bong such as some of our Travel Bongs or something more flashy and of a larger size such as a Percolator Bong.

Percolators are another factor to take into consideration when choosing the right bong for you, as a percolator adds another layer of water filtration and smoke diffusion to the equation. This can be beneficial for people looking for the healthiest way to smoke, but can also be a hindrance to some people as it increases the drag resistance and airflow of the bong, making it a bit more of an effort to clear the bong of smoke.

More expensive bongs generally offer high quality materials and have had more time spent on the production.

What Else Do I Need?

So, youve got your bong and now you want to know what else you need? Its usually good to get yourself some Screens. These act as a filter, to stop your smoking mix and its ash falling into the water and dirtying up your bong. They come in various different shapes, sizes and materials, such as glass, brass and steel.

Now, you may want to add extra parts on to your bongs such as an Ash Catcher to increase the functionality of you piece or a replacement Bowl or Downpipe to replace yours if it ever breaks.

Youll also need something to clean your bong such as Dr Greens Bong Cleaner and a Bong Brush. You could also buy a preventative cleaner such as Rez Block which protects your bong by creating a slippery coating that resin cant stick to. This stuff will save you hours in cleaning time!

You could also purchase a bong case, to help protect and transport your piece. The Pure Sativa bong cases are excellent and are made from sustainable hemp, so they dont cost the earth!

Bong Care

Taking care of your bong, can extend its lifespan by a considerable amount, as well as keeping it pleasant for to you to get the most out of your smoking experience. We suggest investing in a bong cleaning kit such as the Genie Smoking Tool Kit and good Cleaner to help you keep on top of the maintenance. If you keep your bong clean it can potentially last you forever, as long as you dont break it, so look after it as best as you can! Happy Smoking!!

The History Of Bongs

Bongs or water pipes have been a popular way to smoke tobacco and other herbal substances for hundreds of years, and their origins can be dated back to China during the late Ming Dynasty in the 16th Century.

Originally made from a wooden tube cut from bamboo, the bong became popular in Laos, Thailand and across Africa before coming to Europe in the 20th century. Due to advanced manufacturing techniques and processes, bongs are now made from glass or acrylic making them highly durable and efficient.

A bong is similar in construction to a Hookah Pipe, but is more compact and portable making it a great choice for those who travel. The air and water tight vessel has a bowl (which holds the tobacco or herbal mixture) and stem attached to it. This guides the smoke through the water giving a smoother experience and filters out some of the more harmful toxins making it healthier than standard cigarette smoking.

Here at Shiva Online, we stock a wide range of glass, acrylic and ceramic bongs in an array of sizes and colours. We also stock percolator bongs which provide an even smoother smoke thanks to extra chambers and multi pipe bongs so that more than one person can experience the delights of bong smoking at the same time.

Whether you are looking for an inexpensive acrylic bong to add to your collection or a top quality glass bong to become your prized possession, Shiva Online has the bong for you!