I've resorted to the screwdriver trick a few times. It works, but is messy.
... But there is an "advanced" screwdriver trick - with absolute no mess at all!
Look in the scrap bin; all you need is a 5-6 ft leftover piece of PVC-insulated copper wire, something like a 2x4 mm² (12 AWG)
I learned this trick from an old ex-Navy mechanic who mostly had worked on the big Detroits: really a zero-cost, poor man's tool and still more effective than any filter wrench in the world; I guarantee...! Ever since I adopted it, I laugh about all those fancy inventions called Oil Filter Wrench...
Double that cable in the middle; wrap it around the object, twice (as pictured); stick a screwdriver/lever/small pry-bar in there and start turning while keeping some tension on the loose ends. Surfaces need to be clean (oil- & dust-free), that's the only requirement, really.