I put wax on it before putting together. It seized up as I was trying to line up the guides. I tried the behind-the-knee method. I tried wearing nitrile gloves for better grip (I don't have a rubber jar opener). I tried icing the male end and running the female end under hot water. I even tried combining all of these methods and it won't even budge. I don't currently have a second person to help me. Any other ideas? I've never had a rod that I couldn't pull apart behind the knees. Is this a manufacturer defect? Any other ideas for me to try? Should I just contact the manufacturer? It's a glass rod if that makes any difference.