EEEK!Not the boiling water method!
The "Hans-on" method is good, but I do find that it can create wear and tear on the inner frame, especially if you crack the same figure open more than a couple of times. In the most extreme cases, you can end up with figures unable to stand straight or to hold their arms firmly in raised positions.
Also, this method doesn't work on ALL figures. So far I have never managed to disassemble an old female klicky (with the original style body) just by hand, because the action of hitting the legs down against the torso doesn't produce enough leverage. Fat-bodied klickies can sometimes be taken apart this way if you replace the 'fat legs' with standard ones first.
Older figures are often much harder to get open using Hans-on and the plastic frame is likely to be brittle and can crack more easily.
If you can master the screwdriver and vice method, then you should be able to open any figure with less risk of damage.
Having said all that, I usually use the "Hans-on" method for disassembling figures.
