Hey Natrix
The grease is "Phil Woods" ?
Tackle prep and maintenance is big. I recall a post earlier on Abel reels and one guy who owns them, but won't use them for steelhead because he has drag problems when the reels get wet.
He knows they require maintenance, but chooses not to oil the cork, and knows that the result will be an undependable drag, so he doesn't use the reel. That's his choice, and more power to him, but as you pointed out, it doesn't make the Abel a bad reel.
As to field maintenance there are three rules:
1. Have the tools and parts you might need on your person or in a close vehicle
2. NEVER work on a reel when you are around sand
3. Never work on a reel whe you are around sand
