Beammeup, from your picture you appear to have the bluntest reel blades I've ever seen, and I thought I'd seen some blunt ones. That, plus what may be too much clearance between reel and bedknife, would produce the outcome you are getting. Your description of what is happening, and of your bedknife, suggests what you need is a routine resharpen of both items, followed by proper adjustment of the clearance between them. Of course they must be sharpened simultaneously by the same expert. I seem to recall deviosi telling you where you can get an excellent job for $45, which is a highly attractive price. Remember you need to have the reel bearings checked by the expert, and you need to try to get him or her, or better still someone from your local bowling club, to instruct you in adjusting the clearance between reel and knife: that is the main determinant of how well it cuts, and how long it is until you need another resharpen.
