It's a very tight fit with jagged barbs to stop it coming off. First, detach the gaiter from the end of the handle by pushing the gaiter down. Warm the handle with a hair drier and then you might have to use a small length of wood to take the blows from a lump hammer! Be sensible but I was very surprised how much I had to hit it. Its going back on with silicon grease inside.
Stuart Tayler, October 2008