MichaelSteck That’s how I do it also.
Let them soak for quite a while in hot water cool enough that I can stick my finger in. Carefully and slowly prying them up. I sometimes I use a standard blade to start to lift the scale but then I switch to a watch back removal tool. There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing how to do this.
I keep all the scales I take off my knives just like all the tools I don’t use. I always use new scales but if I had to I would reuse the scales I would probably put a single small drop on thick CA glue on each scale anchor point. Then I’ve squeeze the scales back on.
I usually just squeeze the new scales on by hand. If need I will wrap a knife in a microfibre cloth and press it down on the bench to close a small gap. I’ve done this a couple of times. I don’t think a vice is necessary myself.
