Removing shims

[tl_tub]

I will need to take the shims out of the katana head sometime soon (to clean the valves and seats), but am a little curious..
The suzuki manual says to use a magnetic bar to pull them off. What does everyone else use? I wonder if there is a chance of making the shims magnetic which would cause them to attract fine metal and increase the wear? They should be made of hardened steel - just use some needle nose pliers wrapped in a rag?

Thanks!

- Brent

[Sensei]

The magnet is for the collars that hold the top spring washer on .Its so when you compress the spring down the little collars stick to the magnet so as not to drop down into head or cylinder . Bike should be Bucket under shims so cam has to come out anyway so you just pick the shim out with your fingers .
SENSEI

[tl_tub]

Mmm.. can spin the shims freely by finger, but cant pull them out, possibly a vacuum with a little oil underneath. I guess Ill just use the pliers. Not much space in there for fingers anyway.. Is that what women are for??