Are the first ones that hard to get off?
Yep, it's a well-known trait. They must use ex-NFL nose guards with four foot pipe wrenches or something to put the factory filters on.
I always have the dealer do the first oil change (sometimes they even do 'em for free
), that way HE has to fight with it. Having the vehicle up on their lift makes it quite a bit easier than lying under it on the floor, too, I'd imagine.