What do you use to Carve a Pumpkin?

[Chronovore]

Hey. Does anyone use their EDC knife to carve a pumpkin? I've mostly used kitchen knives in the past but I might not be one of the cool kids.

So what is your favorite knife of any kind for making Jack-O-Lanterns? If you make one this year, definitely share a pic of your knife with the finished product.

 

[sgt1372]

Serrated blades of various sizes, a filet knife w/a thin flexible blade and a paring knife is what I use to use when I carved pumpkins.

No kids in the house, so I don't have to do that anymore.

 

[AntDog]

J. Adams lambsfoot works great. My wife’s new favorite.

 

[Triton]

I have to admit we use one of those pumpkin carving kits. The thin flexible saw blades in there are just more effective for pumpkins.

 

[eveled]

 

[Chronovore]

I have to admit we use one of those pumpkin carving kits. The thin flexible saw blades in there are just more effective for pumpkins.

I've used these and similar tools in the past. A benefit to using a thinner blade is dragging less of a wedge through your cut. With a saw, the teeth are usually either equal or flared out to be wider than the blade.

Pumpkin is an interesting medium to cut. Cutting out circles and complex shapes is something I rarely do with a knife.

 

[Bastler]

Smatchet.

 

[Chronovore]

View attachment 1663291

Back in the 90s, I worked mornings at the loading docks. The plain-edged Sysco version of this knife was standard issue.

 

[drawkcaB]

My avatar is the last pumpkin I carved (2003), with a serrated kitchen knife.

 

[guy g]

On larger pumpkin I use a 105. On the small one for my granddaughter , I used my 2 1/2 " Horsewright Coyote.

 

[crn3371]

I generally use a drywall saw for the main cuts then fine tune with an old paring knife.

 

[lieferung]

I just keep an old cheap pumpkin carving kit. It has different size saws for detail work, works great. I tried using a knife once and it was a pain, the saws are narrow and flexible. And I wouldn't shed a tear if they broke.

 

[lex2006]

 

[pvicenzi]

A .45 ACP.

 

[Stelth]

U.S. made Chicago cutlery 102S and 100S paring knives.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I usually have a few knives, because 1 blade shape usually isn't enough.
Featured here is my #92 GEC which contains a coping blade and a spear point blade which make for a pretty good pumpkin carving combination. In general, I believe traditional slip joints are best suited for pumpkin carving, unless of course you're going to use wood carving tools, which is probably more than what your average person has laying about.

 

[Bob Denman]

Smatchet...
But we eat a lot of pumpkin pie, and don't' put too many carcasses out on the porch...

 

[gazz98]

LM Wave+. Blade + serrated blade + saw in one compact tool.

 

[Dergyll]

This is that one weird time that I think a Kris cold steel would be applicable.

 

[ToneGrail]

I find that my Byrd Meadowlark 2 is the perfect tool for slicing the lid off and carving eye/nose/mouth holes using the finger choil which gives me more control. The thin FFG blade just glides through the pumpkin.

Anything longer than that and I don't have as much control.