David W.E. Roberts wrote:
I was told many years ago about a tool for removing nails (not a claw
hammer).

Apparently you drove a shaft with a grasping end down over the nail; it
gripped the nail and you could then haul it out.

It's called a "nail puller".


This avoided the problem with claw hammers, pincers etc. where you had to
get the head of the nail exposed before you could get something under it to
lever it out.

You will still damage the surface of the timber - the jaws of the puller
need to be driven in.


Anyone know of such a tool?

I have always hankered after one but never seen one.

Just Google (TM). They're the sort of thing that are *occasionally*
*very* useful.