Glass bongs are popular devices for smoking herb or tobacco, as they offer a smooth and flavorful experience. However, not all glass bongs are created equal. Some are authentic products made by reputable brands, while others are counterfeit copies that can be dangerous and low-quality.
How can you tell the difference between an authentic glass bong and a counterfeit one? In this blog post, we will show you how to check the features and markings of a glass bong to determine its authenticity. We will use the example of RooR, one of the most famous and respected brands in the glass bong industry, to illustrate our points.
Why is it important to buy authentic glass bongs?
Buying authentic glass bongs is important for several reasons:
- Quality: Authentic glass bongs are made with high-quality borosilicate glass that is thick, durable, and heat-resistant. Counterfeit glass bongs are often made with low-quality glass that is thin, brittle, and prone to cracking or breaking. You can test the quality of the glass by tapping it lightly with your finger or a metal object. A high-pitched sound indicates thin glass, while a low-pitched sound indicates thick glass.
- Safety: Authentic glass bongs are designed to provide a safe and comfortable smoking experience. They have smooth edges, proper airflow, and no leaks or defects. Counterfeit glass bongs may have sharp edges, poor airflow, and leaks or defects that can cause injuries or health problems. For example, some counterfeit glass bongs may contain lead or other harmful substances that can leach into the smoke and harm your lungs.
- Performance: Authentic glass bongs are engineered to deliver optimal performance and functionality. They have features such as percolators, ice catchers, diffusers, and splash guards that enhance the filtration, cooling, and smoothness of the smoke. Counterfeit glass bongs may lack these features or have them poorly made, resulting in harsher and less enjoyable smoke.
- Reputation: Authentic glass bongs are made by reputable brands that have years of experience and expertise in the industry. They have loyal customers who trust their products and services. Counterfeit glass bongs are made by unknown or shady manufacturers who have no regard for quality or customer satisfaction. They may also infringe on the intellectual property rights of the original brands and damage their reputation.
How to spot fake RooR glass bongs?
RooR is one of the most popular and respected brands in the glass bong industry. Founded in Germany in 1995 by Martin Birzle, RooR is known for its high-quality, innovative, and artistic glass bongs. RooR has won several awards and has collaborated with celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, B-Real, and Cypress Hill.
However, due to its worldwide success and high demand, RooR has also become a target for counterfeiters who try to imitate its products and sell them at lower prices. These fake RooR glass bongs are not only inferior in quality and performance, but also illegal and unethical.
So how can you spot a fake RooR glass bong? Here are some tips to help you:
- Check the authentication seal: In 2018, RooR introduced an authentication seal on each of its pipes to combat the counterfeit market. The seal consists of a unique, tamper-proof bubble tag with an alphanumeric ID and QR code. To verify if your RooR is real, simply enter your tag’s 14-character ID on RooR’s authentication page. If your tag is missing or invalid, then your RooR is fake.
- Check the signature: Every RooR bong (except for RooR Tech) should contain a signature on the neck of the pipe. The signature is not a personal autograph by the blower or artist, but an indicator of the specs for each pipe that’s made during production. The signature should have two dots (one before and one after) and should not be above the neck or near the joint of the bong. If your RooR has no signature, more or less than two dots, or a misplaced signature, then your RooR is fake.
- Check the logo: The logo is another way to identify a real RooR from a fake one. The logo should have a registered trademark (®) symbol on it and should not have any extra words or designs. The logo should also not be reversed, have both R’s flipped, or pass below the ice pinch. The color or design of the logo does not matter, as RooR has different logo variations for different models and markets. However, if your RooR breaks any of these logo rules, then your RooR is fake.
- Check the ice catcher: The ice catcher is a feature that allows you to put ice cubes in the neck of the bong to cool down the smoke. A real RooR bong should have an ice catcher that is located near the bottom of the neck and has three pinches (notches). A fake RooR bong may have an ice catcher that is located higher than it should be or has more or less than three pinches. If your RooR has an off ice catcher, then your RooR is fake.
- Check the joint: The joint is the part where you insert the downstem and bowl into the bong. A real RooR bong should have a glass-on-glass joint that is smooth and snug. A fake RooR bong may have a rubber grommet joint that is cheap and loose. Martin Birzle, the founder of RooR, is credited for inventing glass-on-glass joints in 1995, so a real RooR will never use a rubber grommet joint. If your RooR has a rubber grommet joint, then your RooR is fake.
- Check the percolators: Percolators are features that add extra filtration and diffusion to the smoke by creating bubbles and turbulence. A real RooR bong may have percolators, but only if it is a RooR Tech model. RooR Tech is a sub-brand of RooR that specializes in scientific glass bongs with advanced percolators. A fake RooR bong may have percolators, but not be a RooR Tech model. If your RooR has percolators but is not a RooR Tech model, then your RooR is fake.
Where to buy authentic glass bongs?
The best way to buy authentic glass bongs is to buy them from authorized dealers or directly from the brand’s website. Authorized dealers are retailers that have been approved by the brand to sell their products and offer warranty and customer service. You can find a list of authorized dealers on the brand’s website or contact them directly to verify if a dealer is legitimate.
Buying directly from the brand’s website is another option, as you can be sure that you are getting the real product from the source. However, this may not be possible for some brands or some locations, as shipping and customs may be an issue.
You should avoid buying glass bongs from unknown or shady sources, such as online marketplaces, street vendors, or unverified shops. These sources may offer lower prices or discounts, but they may also sell counterfeit or defective products that can harm you or rip you off.
Conclusion
Glass bongs are great devices for smoking herb or tobacco, but you need to be careful when buying them. Not all glass bongs are authentic products made by reputable brands. Some are counterfeit copies that can be dangerous and low-quality.
To find out if a glass bong is authentic or counterfeit, you need to check its features and markings, such as the authentication seal, signature, logo, ice catcher, joint, and percolators. We used the example of RooR, one of the most famous and respected brands in the glass bong industry, to show you how to spot a fake RooR glass bong.
The best way to buy authentic glass bongs is to buy them from authorized dealers or directly from the brand’s website. You should avoid buying glass bongs from unknown or shady sources that may sell counterfeit or defective products.
We hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy smoking!
