Gone are the days of using Mom’s best kitchen knife to carve a simple jack o’ lantern with triangle-shaped eyes and a toothy grin.  Pumpkin carving is an art for many, but even those who are not so talented in that department can fake it with all of the tools and tricks available!

Pumpkin carving kits are available at many retailers, and you do not have to invest more than $20.00. Basic kits usually contain a utility saw, hand “drill,” and scraper.  Pumpkin Masters is the leading producer of carving tool kits, and you can be certain your kit will be perfect for the beginner or the experienced carving artist!  Their basic toolset, along with other decorating kits, can be purchased for less than $15 at Lowes home stores.

If you are in the market for a beginner kit, such as a child-safe set, Best Products has a list of beginner sets, as well as other gadgets and tools that would be more fitting for adults.  All of these items are $25 or less.

If you are ready to step up your carving mastery, there are plenty of tools that are not necessarily made for carving large orange squashes but work well for creating a professional-looking piece of pumpkin art. Check out these picks from Bustler,  which includes a set of pottery tools, a cookie-cutter kit, and a power drill set, all perfect for creating the perfect jack o’ lantern.

Different tools create different results:  children can use metal cookie cutters to punch out shapes; for a lantern look, use a power drill and different-sized bits; and if you want to make your pumpkin look like a work of art, use a set of linoleum tools.

Gathering your pumpkin and tools are just the beginning! Stay tuned for more Pumpkin Carving 101, when we discuss choosing a template, carving your artwork, as well as keeping your jack o’ lantern fresh!

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