Disagree all you like, I've used them and they're just fine if you know what you're doing. The ball joint tools are easier and better if you have them and have access to get them in place, which isn't always possible in certain situations. Pickle forks work great as long as you're not too attached to the ball joint boots, and typically are less damaging to the casting than just smacking it with a hammer. But that works too if the only goal is to get stuff apart.
I've used all of those methods, comes down to the right tool for the job and the situation.
