Always a problem, ever a mystery. Can't play with 'em, can't play without 'em.
Reeds Reeds are truly frustrating.
Good ones are expensive as hell and you usually end up throwing half the box away. Frankly, you shouldn't - you should do lots of experimenting and find what works for you through trial and error. It is worth while, however, for all reed players to learn a little about manicuring reeds. You can't make a bad reed good, but you can make a good reed better. You'll need a small knife, some fine-grain sand paper, some reed rush, and a clean flat surface to work on.