Step 1, do not put the rod behind your legs to try to pull it apart. If it does come apart you have no control over the pieces and a break is easy. Step 2,Ice the joint first, if you have a chest of access to a large freezer, do that first then try to pull it apart. If that doesn't work then get another guy to help, each of you grap the rod on either side of the ferrule (never have 1 each guy on each side)Step 3, carry a little birthday candle in your reel bag or vest for your male ferrules on graphite rods, and a mini hotel bar of ivory soap for the nickle silver ferrules on bamboo rods.