I have both injection molded very hard plastic/nylon end cupping socket type filter socket and stamped metal socket type filter sockets. On stubborn filters even they will spin on the end of the filters.
My dad had a strap wrench so to speak that had about a 1" square tube with a 3/8" ratchet drive on the end. The strap was looped sideways from the 1" square tube. You looped the strap around whatever you want to remove and then wind up the 1" square tube with a 3/8" drive ratchet and it will self-tighten as you twist the ratchet. This is how I had to remove my first oil filter from Harley's 1000 mile service. It dimpled the side of the filter a bit, but did the job without any punctures of the filter body.
When you install a filter, you always thing that this is NOT tight enough... but it is.
Nice discussion here guys, thanks for the information.
I like the strap wrench shown here, but on most applications the filter is not in a location to have something sticking out the side like this strap wrench. End or very tight side strap wrench would have to do.
