Excellent Pumpkin Carving Tools You May Not Have Used Before

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It’s that time of year when pumpkins are being harvested and sold at stores, markets, and pumpkin patches.  With Halloween approaching, many people are putting jack o’lanterns out on their porches.  Although carved pumpkins can be adorable looking, they also can be difficult to carve, especially if you are only using your kitchen knife.  Thankfully, there are some pumpkin carving tools available that can make your life so much easier when carving pumpkins.  In this article you’ll learn the different types of pumpkin carving tools, how they work, and where you can buy them.  So go grab your pumpkin and let’s get started.

Linoleum Cutter

This item is used to carve detail into the surface of a pumpkin.  Although it is not necessary for carving the face of a jack o’lantern, this tool can be used for carving designs onto a pumpkin.  A nice feature of this pumpkin carving tool is that it is hollow inside.  The reason for this is so you can store all the different tips inside the tool.  The tips will probably be inside the tool when you receive it.  To get the tips out, unscrew the base of the linoleum cutter and pour out the tips.  Each tip is going to be slightly different, so you can decide which tip works best on your pumpkin.  A linoleum cutter is often used for drawing designs on other materials such as rubber and even wood.  However, it works just as good on a pumpkin as it does on other crafts.  Click here to buy a linoleum cutter from Amazon.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Hole Cutters

Used by potters to create holes in clay, these short metal pipes with a sharp end work great on pumpkins.  Hole cutters can be used to make decorative holes on pumpkins.  You could also use it to make the eyes of a jack o’lantern, although jack o’lanterns usually have triangular eyes.  Still, this is a great tool to have around when you are carving pumpkins.  You can buy a set of them on Amazon by clicking here.

pumpkin carving tools

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Keyhole Saw

A keyhole saw is much easier to use than a regular kitchen knife.  This pumpkin carving tool can be used for almost anything, but it is most commonly used for when you are cutting the lid of the pumpkin.  It can also be used for when you are carving other simple cuts on the pumpkin.  A keyhole saw is very easy to use.  It is used just like a regular knife, but it is much sharper and easier to use.  When you are done carving your pumpkin, a keyhole saw can be used for many other projects such as wood, plastic pipe, plywood, wallboard, and drywall.  Click here to buy this effective tool on Amazon.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Pumpkin Scoop (Scraper)

A pumpkin scoop, also called pumpkin scraper, is one of the pumpkin carving tools that is specifically made for pumpkins.  It is used for removing the pulp from the pumpkin, which is perhaps the most difficult job when carving a pumpkin.  Similar to a spoon, a pumpkin scraper has a large scoop made for scooping out the pulp. However, it is different than a spoon because it features sharp, jagged edges made for scraping the sides of the pumpkin.  Besides scooping out the pulp of pumpkins, you can also use this on spaghetti squash, melons, and so much more.  Click here to buy this useful pumpkin carving tool.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Messermister

Melon Baller

Similar to the hole cutters, a melon baller can be useful when you are creating holes on the outside of the pumpkin.  What’s nice about a melon baller is that the two scoops are different sizes.  This allows you to make different sized holes on the pumpkin.  Melon ballers can also be used for scooping out the flesh of melons, hence the name, as well as scooping out the flesh of squash.  You can buy an inexpensive melon baller by clicking here.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Needle Tool

A needle tool, which is often used by potters, can be helpful for when you are designing the jack o’lantern.  You simply poke holes into your pumpkin so that you know where you want to cut out the eyes, mouth, and nose.  Click here to buy an inexpensive needle tool on Amazon.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Catch My Party

Cookie Cutters

You probably already have this tool, and if you don’t you can easily find them at a store.  The same cookie cutters that you use to make adorable cookies at Christmas and other holidays can be used to decorate your pumpkin.  To decorate your pumpkin with cookie cutters, first place a cookie cutter onto the pumpkin. Then take a hammer and gently hammer it into the pumpkin. Keep hammering the cookie cutter until you have made it all the way through the pumpkin.  If you want, you can save the cut-outs for further decoration.  As you can see in the image below, you can use the cut-outs to make your pumpkin look even more decorative.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: The Ledford Life

Drill or Screwdriver

If the melon baller or hole cutters make holes that are too big, try using a screwdriver or drill.  What’s nice about this tool is that you can decide what size holes you want to drill into your pumpkin.  You can even make different sized holes on the pumpkin.  Shop for the best cordless screwdrivers by clicking here.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Youtube

Chisel

A chisel can be helpful for when you are creating creative designs on your pumpkin.  Chisels can be a little difficult to use at first, so you may want to practice using it on a different pumpkin first.  You can also practice on the back of the pumpkin you will be carving.  Click here to buy a set of chisels.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit

The Dremel pumpkin carving kit can make carving pumpkins so much easier.  It is made to help carve designs on pumpkins, which is considered the most difficult way to carve pumpkins.  But with this tool, carving pumpkins will no longer be a chore.  Click here to buy this handy tool.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Reciprocating Saw

If you are wanting to make quick, clean cuts on your pumpkin, you may find a reciprocating saw to be helpful.  It can be used for cutting the lid of the pumpkin, or you can use it for carving the jack o’lantern’s face.  Once all your pumpkins are carved, you can use your reciprocating saw for pruning trees, cutting plastic pipe, and much more.  You can buy a reciprocating saw on Amazon by clicking here.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Awl

An awl, similar to a needle tool, can be helpful when carving unique designs on pumpkins.  Basically, an awl is used to create holes in a pumpkin, and therefore create unique designs.  However, it can also be helpful for when you are designing the jack o’lantern.  Simply make holes in the pumpkin with the awl, and then trace the holes with your knife.  To buy an awl, click here.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: She Knows

Fleshing Tool

A fleshing tool is similar to a pumpkin scraper.  It is used to scrap the flesh out of a pumpkin so that you can decorate it.  Like the pumpkin scraper, a fleshing tool features jagged edges so that it will cut into the flesh of the pumpkin.  Buy a fleshing tool by clicking here.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Paring Knife

This pumpkin carving tool can probably be found in your kitchen.  It is commonly used for peeling fruits and vegetables, but it is also great for carving pumpkins.  It allows you to make deep, clean cuts into your pumpkin, and it is very easy to use. If you don’t already have a paring knife, click here.  I’m sure you’ll find many other uses for it besides carving pumpkins.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Pumpkin Gutter

A pumpkin gutter is a great tool to use for removing the pulp from pumpkins.  It will get all the flesh off the walls of the pumpkin so that you have great carving results.  To use it, you must connect it to an electric or cordless drill.  This allows it to be more powerful than if you were using it by hand.  A bonus is that it won’t damage the pumpkin seeds.  This means that if you want to cook the pumpkin seeds, you can still use them even after using this gutter.  Click here to buy a pumpkin gutter.

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Tourne Knife

The tourne knife is probably the best knife for carving the jack o’lantern’s eyes and nose.  It creates deep, clean cuts and is very easy to use.  Because the blade slightly curves, this knife is great for when you need to reach tight spots.  Click here to buy a cheap tourne knife on Amazon.  

pumpkin carving tools

Image Source: Amazon

Final Thoughts

I hope you found this list of pumpkin carving tools to be helpful.  As you can see, there are many different pumpkin carving tools that you can use.  Some are used to help you carve the design of your jack o’lantern, while others are used for scooping the pulp out of the pumpkin.  You may have noticed that some of these pumpkin carving tools you may already have in your home. Items such as cookie cutters, drills, and melon ballers are all common household items.  However, if you don’t have any of these pumpkin carving tools, I’ve provided links to Amazon.  I hope these pumpkin carving tools make life easier for you as you carve your pumpkins.  Happy carving!

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