If you cut a little deeper until you see the center cutting blade just starting to come out the bottom of the pineapple, there will be less section/effort when pulling out the tube. Also, if you have a taller pineapple, there's no need to remove the handle to get the pineapple off the shaft. Just take a sharp paring knife and cut the pineapple (downward) while the tip of the knife touches the metal tube. You'll be able to slide the fruit off as individual loops. Then you can eat them as is, or keep them stacked and cut them again into smaller bit size pieces.