[Sirrotica]

My solution would be to restore the chisel mark and either use a blunt end puller, Snap on has pullers that the pointed end can be changed out to a blunt swivel. Another possibility would be to use a piece of flat aluminum between the puller and the shaft to protect the reference mark from the puller.

BTW don't overtighten the nut on the shaft, it just has to be snug. Tightening the nut too tight forces the 2 tapers splines together and makes removal harder than needs be. A little never seize on the spline might also make it come apart easier requiring less pressure from the puller.