Removing nails

[cokesign]

Does anyone know if a method of pulling small nails with a head as to minimize damage to the surrounding wood? The nails are about an inch long and were used to install a newer wall covering. Some are somewhat embedded and using a small crowbar is really messing up the beautiful wood on these walls. We've even considered countersinking but don't know if that makes any sense. Thank you for any ideas.

[simon c]

do you need to remove them? if they are already embedded you could use a nail punch to drive them below the surface

otherwise use some small pliers, having a fulcrum to use a leverage helps - use a thin wooden offcut to avoid marking the wood

[dale]

A pair of vice grips (I purchased a pair recently and now wondered how I ever did without them!) and a wooden wedge/piece of scrap timber to support it as you lever the nail out.