Next I'm considering trying a torch/razorblade/pliers to cut/melt that section out with the heated razor. When I was soldering on the PCB I noticed that the socket material will indeed melt fairly easily. (Mine uses an FRE brand socket.)
I used a blade lodged into a groove in my soldering iron. I spent quite a while finishing it off, as I preferred to remove too little at a time, rather than too much.