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Autumn is defined by chunky knit sweaters, warm mugs of coffee, and, of course, carving a jack-o-lantern for Halloween. To get the best results, skip the cheap kits and standard kitchen knives and consider investing in some tools that allow you to carve intricate designs with ease.
Buying pumpkin-carving tools online, however, can feel a bit overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down the types and features to look for when shopping for the best pumpkin-carving tools and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while evaluating products. Use this guide for tips on choosing the ideal option, and explore our curated picks for some of the best tools for pumpkin carving.
- BEST OVERALL: BOOtiful Carving Tools Pumpkin Carving Kit
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Elmchee Halloween Pumpkin Carving Tools
- BEST DRILL ATTACHMENT: Dakota Products Pumpkin Gutter and Carving Tool
- BEST SAW: Irwin Tools ProTouch Drywall/Jab Saw
- BEST KNIFE: Zwilling Twin Signature 4-Inch Paring Knife
- BEST AWL: General Tools Scratch Awl
- BEST LINOLEUM CUTTERS: Speedball Linoleum Cutter Assortment
- BEST ELECTRIC: Avid Power Rotary Tool Accessories Kit
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pumpkin- Carving Tools
Although it’s easy to assume that all types of pumpkin-carving tools offer similar performance, several factors affect their functionality. Keep reading to learn about the important features to consider when choosing pumpkin-carving supplies this Halloween.
Single Tool vs. Kit
Pumpkin-carving tools are sold either individually or in kits. Some of the highest-quality tools aren’t necessarily marketed as pumpkin-carving supplies and may be found in the aisles of a hardware store or craft supply store. While single tools may offer the best performance, kits offer the ultimate convenience and typically offer great value.
For amateur pumpkin carvers, kits may be the best choice because they come with all of the tools required to create an impressive jack-o’-lantern. Kits will typically include a tool for gutting as well as multiple tools for drawing and carving. They may even come with stencils, allowing users to trace designs onto their pumpkins.
Intended Use
When shopping for either pumpkin-carving kits or individual pumpkin-carving tools, it’s important to consider their intended use.
- A fleshing tool is designed to remove the pumpkin’s pulp and seeds.
- Paring knives and keyhole saws work well for cutting open the top of the pumpkin and making deep cuts for holes and other openings.
- Linoleum cutters are designed for printmaking and etching rubber stamps, but they also come in handy when making shallow cuts in a pumpkin’s flesh and creating fine lines. Linoleum cutting kits often come with different nibs, which can create a variety of different cuts.
- Cookie cutters can be used to make uniform decorative cutouts.
- An awl is a thin, pointed tool that can be used for making small holes.
Material and Durability
While some budget pumpkin-carving kits are made with flimsy plastic handles and thin metal blades, professional pumpkin-carving tools should be durable enough to last for years. Rather than choosing an inexpensive kit that’s designed to be disposable, look for tools made with materials like wood and stainless steel. Tools with nonslip handles help ensure the user’s hand remains steady while working. Individual tools designed for crafting and woodworking are typically more durable than the tools found in pumpkin-carving kits. In order to ascertain a kit’s durability, look to the user reviews to ensure that customers are pleased with the tools’ performance.
Safety
Since pumpkin carving is often an activity that involves the whole family, safety is a primary consideration—particularly when younger children are involved. Drawing, tracing, and gutting tools are all relatively safe to use, but since carving tools need to pierce the pumpkin’s flesh, they must be quite sharp. While some kits are advertised as being for children, most pumpkin-carving tools invariably feature sharp edges that can cause accidents and injuries. Let younger kids help by creating the jack-o-lantern’s design and scooping out the pumpkin guts. Older children can use some carving tools under adult supervision. Even safe pumpkin-carving tools should be used with caution by children and adults alike.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned more about choosing good pumpkin-carving tools, it’s time to start shopping. The following are the top picks for the best pumpkin-carving tools on the market.
Best Overall
BOOtiful Carving Tools Pumpkin Carving Kit
Pros
- Features stainless steel blades
- Comes in a zippered case
- Includes a variety of tools
Cons
- High price
Product Specs
- Type: Kit
- Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
- Number of tools: 8
There are plenty of pumpkin-carving tool kits available on the market, but this collection from BOOtiful Carving Tools stands out from the rest because of its durable construction. The kit includes eight pieces, with a scraping tool, several styles of knives, poking tools, and more. This variety makes it easy to complete a wide range of designs without the need for any additional supplies.
The blade of each of these heavy-duty pumpkin-carving tools is made from stainless steel, and the handles are made from sturdy plastic. The entire kit fits tidily into a zippered fabric case, making it easy to store until next Halloween.
Get the BOOtiful Carving Tools pumpkin-carving tools on Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Elmchee Halloween Pumpkin Carving Tools
Pros
- Affordable price
- Stainless steel blades
- Comes in a zippered case
- Includes a variety of tools
Cons
- Stainless steel may be thin on some tools
Product Specs
- Type: Kit
- Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
- Number of tools: 13
This affordable pumpkin-carving tool kit from Elmchee offers great value because it includes 13 steel and plastic pumpkin-carving tools, all of which fit into a convenient carrying case. The creative possibilities are endless with the variety of tools included in this kit. There are six double-sided stainless steel detail sculpting, cutting, and carving tools; two sharp, heavy-duty stainless steel scooping tools with scrapers; two sturdy tooth saws; two hole and circle punches; and an engraving pen.
The handles are ergonomically designed to be comfortable to use, ensuring a nonslip grip. The brand recommends this kit for adults and children over the age of 9.
Get the Elmchee Halloween pumpkin-carving tools on Amazon.
Best Drill Attachment
Dakota Products Pumpkin Gutter and Carving Tool
Pros
- Affordable price
- Compatible with any drill
- Guts a pumpkin in seconds
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Not suitable for carving designs
Product Specs
- Type: Drill attachment
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Number of tools: 1
Electric pumpkin-carving tools make the task quicker and easier, but rather than buying a dedicated tool, shoppers will also want to consider looking for a drill attachment that can be used with their existing drill. This pick from Dakota Products is compatible with any electric drill, including cordless and corded models. It’s designed for gutting pumpkins and efficiently scrapes away the flesh, strings, and seeds in seconds. Because of its clever design, it’s able to accomplish this without damaging the pumpkin’s seeds, so they can still be roasted for snacking or cooking.
Made from stainless steel, this drill attachment is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.
Get the Dakota Products pumpkin-carving tool on Amazon.
Best Saw
Irwin Tools ProTouch Drywall/Jab Saw
Pros
- Features a sharp blade
- Has an ergonomic rubberized handle
- Made from stainless steel
Cons
- Other tools will be required
Product Specs
- Type: Saw
- Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
- Number of tools: 1
Some of the best tools for carving pumpkins won’t be found in the seasonal aisle. Rather than buying a cutting tool that’s marketed as a must-have for Halloween, consider a product like this drywall saw from Irwin Tools. While it may have been created for cutting drywall; cutting out HVAC, plumbing, and electrical openings; or cutting ceiling tile openings, it just so happens to be perfect for cutting open the top or bottom of a pumpkin and cutting out any other large openings in the pumpkin’s flesh.
It features an ultrasharp stainless steel blade and an ergonomic handle with a rubberized grip that makes the user experience as comfortable—and safe—as possible.
Get the Irwin Tools ProTouch pumpkin-carving tool on Amazon.
Best Knife
Zwilling Twin Signature 4-Inch Paring Knife
Pros
- Features a sharp stainless steel blade
- Full-tang design
- Dishwasher-safe
- Suitable for a variety of applications
Cons
- High price
Product Specs
- Type: Knife
- Materials: Stainless steel, polymer
- Number of tools: 1
Paring knives are essential kitchen tools. These little blades can be used for everything from peeling and cutting fruit to creating small, precise cuts for a variety of purposes. A high-quality paring knife also comes in handy when carving pumpkins. It’s most useful for making major cuts and creates clean lines in order to facilitate your design.
This model from Zwilling has an ultrasharp blade and a full-tang design, ensuring that it’s well balanced and will handle easily. The polymer handle is expertly molded to fit comfortably in the user’s hand. As an added bonus, it’s also dishwasher-safe.
Get the Zwilling pumpkin-carving tool on Amazon.
Best Awl
General Tools Scratch Awl
Pros
- Affordable price
- Features a rust-resistant stainless steel blade
- Suitable for a variety of applications
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
Product Specs
- Type: Awl
- Materials: Stainless steel, wood
- Number of tools: 1
Awls are sharp poking tools that are typically used for woodworking and other handicrafts. They’re ideal for punching, scribing, and perforating and are able to pierce materials like wood and leather. When it comes to pumpkin carving, awls come in handy for creating uniformly sized holes in the pumpkin’s flesh and scraping out shallow grooves in more intricate designs. This model from General Tools features a rust-resistant stainless steel blade and a fluted wooden handle that makes it comfortable to use. It’s an extremely well-made tool that’s designed to withstand heavy use, so it can easily be used year after year.
Get the General Tools pumpkin-carving tool on Amazon or at Acme Tools.
Best Linoleum Cutters
Speedball Linoleum Cutter Assortment
Pros
- Affordable price
- Features steel construction
- Includes a variety of tips
Cons
- Changing nib heads may be difficult
Product Specs
- Type: Linoleum cutting kit
- Materials: Steel, plastic
- Number of tools: 1 handle with 6 nibs
Linoleum-cutting tools are typically used for printmaking and etching rubber stamps, but they’re also great tools for pumpkin carving. This assortment of linoleum cutting nibs from Speedball is perfect for inscribing fine lines on a pumpkin’s exterior for intricate designs to create a professional-level result that would be difficult to achieve with a simple kitchen knife. The kit contains six nibs of different shapes and sizes, each of which creates a specific groove. Change the nibs with a hand-adjustable metal chuck and store them neatly in the hollow twist-off plastic handle.
Get the Speedball pumpkin-carving tool on Amazon.
Best Electric
Avid Power Rotary Tool Accessories Kit
Pros
- Affordable price
- Comes in a compact carrying case
- Includes a wide variety of accessories
Cons
- Not all accessories are useful for pumpkin carving
Product Specs
- Type: Power tool kit
- Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
- Number of tools: 1 rotary tool with 107 pieces
Electric pumpkin-carving power tools make the job quick and efficient, and while it’s possible to purchase attachments for an existing power drill, there are also dedicated tools for crafting and woodworking that can do double duty when it comes to pumpkin carving. This rotary tool kit from Avid Power is designed for carving and cutting and comes with 107 pieces that provide tons of versatility. The bits and accessories can easily be changed with the spindle lock, and a rubberized handle makes for a comfortable user experience. The tool features an adjustable speed, rotating from 10,000 to 32,000 rotations per minute.
Get the Avid Power pumpkin-carving tools on Amazon.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, buyers now know more about shopping for pumpkin-carving tools this Halloween. We recommend the BOOtiful Carving Tools pumpkin-carving tools for their quality construction and comprehensive tool selection. Those on a budget might appreciate the Elmchee Halloween pumpkin-carving tools, which offer great performance at a lower price point.
How We Chose the Best Pumpkin-Carving Tools
Years of experience covering home and hobby supplies as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 25 pumpkin-carving tool options and weighed several practical considerations before making our recommendations.
- Type: In an effort to provide a suitable range of options for a range of shoppers, we aimed to include pumpkin-carving tools of varying types in this guide.
- Reviews: We relied on reviews to ensure that the products we recommend receive positive feedback from users.
- Value: Pumpkin-carving tools range in price depending on their type. We ensured that all the tools we recommend offer excellent value regardless of price.
Tips for Carving Pumpkins
Even with the right tools, pumpkin carving requires a certain level of expertise. Here are some tips for ensuring your designs turn out perfectly every time.
- Choose a pumpkin with a flat surface and shallow ridges in order to provide a flat surface to work on.
- Cut the pumpkin’s lid at an angle in order to prevent it from falling in once it has been cut.
- Thin the pumpkin’s shell by scraping down the interior using a gutting tool.
- Draw your design on paper first, and then trace it onto the pumpkin.
- When carving a pumpkin several days before Halloween, spread petroleum jelly along the cut edges in order to prevent the pumpkin from rotting.
FAQs
Though you now know more about pumpkin-carving tools, you may still have questions about selecting and using them. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about using pumpkin-carving tools at home.
Q. What’s the easiest way to carve a pumpkin?
Carve a simple jack-o’-lantern by cutting a hole in the top, removing the pulp and seeds, and drawing a simple face on the pumpkin’s exterior. Use a sharp cutting tool to cut through the flesh and, finally, place a candle inside.
Q. Do I need special tools to carve a pumpkin?
While it’s possible to carve pumpkins with tools you already have in your home, you’ll get the best results by investing in specialty crafting supplies.
Q. How soon before Halloween should I carve pumpkins?
Generally speaking, it’s best to carve pumpkins no more than 3 days before Halloween because they quickly begin to rot once they are carved.
