Pumpkin-carving with fish knife?

[nphelps4130]

I believe I once read a reference to using the fish scaler on a SAK to carve a pumpkin. Here is a similar mention (link). Despite owning many SAKs I don't have any fishing versions, so I have never tried it. I was wondering if anyone can comment on this.

In particular I wonder if the fish blade on the GEC 65 (link) would function similarly? If anyone has tried it, did it work well?

 

[afishhunter]

When I was a young'un (many decades ago) we used a Rapalla filet knife for carving pumpkins. Well, that, and our Boy Scout knives, and maybe a paring knife.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

When I was a young'un (many decades ago) we used a Rapalla filet knife for carving pumpkins. Well, that, and our Boy Scout knives, and maybe a paring knife.

My thoughts exactly. I recently picked up a Rapala 4" fillet knife, and the very thin, narrow flexible blade with a very pointy & sharp tip should be perfect for pumpkin-carving. A 'scaler' on a fish knife is usually pretty thick, stiff and very blunt in the 'teeth' on the scaler (literally made just for scraping, as opposed to cutting). I'd think it'd chew up the flesh of the pumpkin, leaving it pretty ragged, if it works at all. The blunt, notched tip on it wouldn't work at all for piercing & starting cuts either. A paring knife should also work well, perhaps even a serrated one.

Looking at the posted SAK link, I can see the reasoning in recommending a fish scaler for use by young pumpkin-carvers (kids), as it'd be impossible to cut oneself with it. In 'adult' hands, I'd still prefer a thin, sharp & flexible blade for it, for more precise carving.


David