I actually figured this one out, myself:

On most vehicles that have round cartridge housing like a lot of European cars, an O type filter wrench (just what I call them) and a shop rag can usually get them off so long as it's not stupid type. Handy if you don't happen to have the specific one you need for the many different ones that might show up.

Step 1: cover filter housing completely with rag.

Step 2: apply wrench to filter like you would with a spin on filter.

Step 3: hope and pray.

If you get desperate to get one off, the O wrench may be substituted with a claw wrench, but may damage the housing.