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  6. 10 Pumpkin Carving Tools for the Perfect Jack-O'-Lantern

10 Pumpkin Carving Tools for the Perfect Jack-O'-Lantern

By Alexandra Churchill Updated July 19, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Credit: Bryan Gardner

For a pumpkin with panache—or a big, toothy grin—it's important to reach for the right tools and wield them wisely. You'll likely find some of these supplies in your kitchen drawer or tool kit; a trip to an art-supply, hardware, or housewares store will yield the rest.

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Credit: Bryan Gardner

Once you've found a smooth, symmetrical pumpkin, it becomes all about the tools. Look beyond the knife drawer to implements intended for other uses-say, a melon baller, a power drill, or a keyhole saw.

First, before carving, decide how you are going to light it: For a candle, carve a hole in the top of the pumpkin so that the lid can be removed. For LED battery-powered lights, cut a circle out of the bottom of the pumpkin so that the top can be preserved. As you master the technique, you will find that each tool handles a different part of the carving process. Use a keyhole saw to make the initial cut into the pumpkin. Use a fleshing tool the removing the pulp and seeds and to thin the pumpkin's walls (this allows more light to come through your design). Then, you can use a variety of tools to carve in the details many of which are found at your local arts and crafts store. Use a needle tool to transfer a design template to the surface of your pumpkin, which makes it easy to carve the perfect scary face. Use cookie cutters for decorative cutouts or a melon baller to scoop out perfectly circular indentations.

To start, download and print out one of our templates. They are designed to help you master the technique, providing both a certain amount of guidance and the room for creative freedom. Tape your chosen design to the pumpkin, and start to etch, carve, and even drill in the details. More elaborate pumpkin carvings will also take more time and attention than simplified designs. But having the right tools on hand helps to make your pumpkin masterpieces with expert precision.

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Keyhole Saw

pumpkin carving tool keyhole saw
Credit: Harima

The sharp teeth on this saw can slice through a pumpkin's tough shell, and its flexible blade allows for curved cuts.

Shop Now: Woodcraft Harima Keyhole Saw, $22, woodcraft.com.

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Fleshing Tool

pumpkin carving fleshing tool
Credit: Kemper Tools

Sculpting tools, such as large plaster scrapers and smaller fleshing tools, remove pulp and thin a pumpkin's walls. The serrated loop on this tool easily scrapes away the flesh, allowing light to shine through.

Shop Now: Kemper Tools "FT453" Fleshing Tool, $6, shop.ceramicsupplyinc.com.

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Linoleum Cutter

pumpkin carving tool linoleum cutter
Credit: Speedball

This item is used to carve detail into the surface of a pumpkin with great accuracy. Make a skin-deep outline and pattern with V- and U-shaped blades in a few sizes.

Shop Now: Speedball Lino Set "#40203-1009 No. 1" Linoleum Cutter, $9, dickblick.com.

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Hole Cutter

pumpkin carving tool hole cutter
Credit: Kemper

Used by potters to create holes in clay, these short metal pipes with a sharp end and a capped one will work well on pumpkins, too.

Shop Now: Kemper Tools Hole Cutter, $5, dickblick.com.

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Miniature Saw

pumpkin carving tool mini saws
Credit: X-Acto

The thin, sturdy blades on these saws are perfect for carving irregular shapes.

Shop Now: X-Acto Knife Blade #2, $8.89, officedepot.com; X-Acto Knife Blade #15, $15.58, amazon.com.

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Wood Gouge

pumpkin carving took gouge
Credit: Pfiel

Create strips in the shell of the pumpkin using this carpentry tool.

Shop Now: PFEIL "Swiss Made" Gouge No. 7, $32.99, woodcraft.com.

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Awl, Needle Tool, and Pin

pumpkin carving tools needle, awl, and pin
Credit: Kemper

These are good for transferring designs from paper to a pumpkin. For instance, a monogram is created by taping a template to the rind, and tracing it by poking holes.

Shop Now: Lineco Medium Duty Awl, $11, dickblick.com; Kemper Tools PNH-X Heavy Duty Cut-Off Needle, $6.20, amazon.com; Dritz T-Pins, $5.68 for 100, amazon.com.

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Cookie Cutters

ANPOPO Mini Star Cookie Cutter Set
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

These common baking tools can make uncommon designs: crescent moons, stars, skulls, and other Halloween motifs. Tap a cookie cutter with a rubber mallet to penetrate the rind of the pumpkin.

Shop Now: ANPOPO Mini Star Cookie Cutter Set, $9.99, amazon.com.

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Melon Baller

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Melon Baller
Credit: Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond

Traditional kitchen tools such as a melon baller can carve spherical chunks out of the shell of a pumpkin. These depressions will glow when light shines through them.

Shop Now: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Melon Baller, $9.99, bedbathandbeyond.com.

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Power Drill

pumpkin carving took power drill
Credit: Black + Decker

This heavy-duty tool makes it fast and easy to create small holes for accents or patterns.

Shop Now: Black + Decker 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill, $59, homedepot.com.

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    2 of 11 Keyhole Saw
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    7 of 11 Wood Gouge
    8 of 11 Awl, Needle Tool, and Pin
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