Thank you everyone!
I'll borrow the VAR - 78 from my local frame builder who says he has one. but looks like I need the AT508k pliers, at $26 I can justify those. Much as I love the quality of Var tools the only Var - 78 I found was $76!
I'd use the hammer handle method but no my lack of finesse I'd definitely trash the forks...
Yeah, it's unfortunate, there's a strong aftermarket for VAR tools and even the current versions they're making, there's very little difference in buying new vs. used..
Also unfortunate, ICETOOLZ, Hozan and others making comparable tools often price within 20% of VAR prices, so it hurts no matter - fixed cup removal and cotter tools are great examples.
I think it's just one of those things: Bikes are still considered a very recreational thing, especially vintage, so we won't see the Harbor Freight version of bike tool resources popping up any time soon. I'd love to see some of VAR's stuff come down 20%, but all I'm seeing is a steady rise the last 10 years, and it's up 20% instead.