I use a small smooth jawed pliers with a tiny piece of very thin leather to protect the bead on those that are screwed into the rib.
The leather is tough but very thin so you can still get a hold of the bead w/o damaging it. It's never failed for me. I never did have any luck with the assorted bead removal tools offered for the job.
Masking tape around the bead protects the rib from any slips. Take a piece and poke a hole in it and place it right over the bead and press is down around it. A couple layers helps.
On press fit beads, they pull right out using a small side cutter or end cutter with the edges ground so there is no relief on the face. Then just blunt the sharp cutting edge a bit, you won't be needing that action.
Cover the rib around the bead with tape or a tin piece of cardboard (match cover). Grab the bead at the lowest position possible, as close to the rib as the now thinned jaws allow.
Close the jaws carefully & firmly around the bead but don't apply too much preassure,,you don't want to snip it off!
Now lever the bead up and out of it's hole by simply pushing down on the handle of the cutters. The pivot point of the tool which will be on the rib itself will make for an easy lift of the bead from the hole.
This works nicely with ivory beads too. No cracking or shattering of the ivory.
..but don't assume that all ivory front sight beads are pressed into place. Some are threaded and screwed in place.
