Roots, roots and more roots

[Selmo]

These plants are in need of being divided/repoted and was wondering what the best way to get the roots detached from the bench.
Soaking them and trying to tease the roots loose from the wire and wood. Or, do I soak them and just cut them off at the bench? I would hate to remove all those good roots, but it would be much easier to cut them off and since we are going to repot anyway.
This is what happens when you don’t move the pot for a couple of years.