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New Castle, Pa.

I have a couple of six hundred pound pumpkins I want to carve into Jack O Lanterns. I'm thinking of using a "Sawz-All" with an extra long blade for the rough-in and an electric knife for finish work. Last summer I tried some carving with a chain saw on one I lost (It was like being on the wrong side of a salad shooter), Good Grief Charlie Brown!! What different implements are used for artistic carving? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tim

10/18/2006 8:14:46 PM

San Jose [email protected]

sawzall is the bomb, dremmel tool/roto zip, dry wall saw

10/18/2006 8:33:28 PM

Montoursville, PA

A 3/4, 1, and 1 1/2 wood chizzle very sharp. A long knife to get in there and trim cuts from the outside. Where I find a lot of neat possibilities is at the Thrift Stores of the Salvation Army and similar organizations. Their boxes of knives are usually priced 10 - 50 cents. Icecream scoop sharpened with a Dremmel tool. Ditto big beefy spoons.

Sculpting these larger pumpkins just takes bigger more beefy handtools and some creative experience.

10/18/2006 9:21:04 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I had fun starting a carving on Dave McCallum's 662.5 from this year on TV. I did a bit of a rush job without much planning in the design. But, I finished as much as I could at the Woodbridge Fair. It's only the second one that I've done, but I think I'm getting the knack. Here's a picture (there are more of the process in the album):
http://www.gvgo.ca/gallery/displayimage.php?album=19&pos=12
Or, you could see the one that I did last year from my own pumpkin (there's a finished shot an entry or two down the line):
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=44701

To rough out I used an old keyhole saw. It cut through like butter. I also think that it provided a bit more control than a reciprocating saw (which I have, but haven't tried).

My favourite tools are things like a grapefruit knife because the curve is great for certain shapes. I use a cheese slicer to shave off the outer skin or to make smooth flat areas. When I've cut out a piece, but can't pull it out, I use a corkscrew. But, the coolest knife that I've used is an ulu knife from Alaska. It's the kind of crescent knife that would be used to skin a seal or something like that. It's great as a scraper to scoop out the stringy flesh and seeds.

I think that I'll try to get my hands on some large clay sculpting loops because I think that they would work better and faster than the melon baller that I broke.

10/18/2006 10:14:15 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Oh, and I am seriously considering making a visit to New York to see the 1502 carved. But, that may not be practical.

10/18/2006 10:15:13 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Clay tools are the ticket,,,The Ribbon and Loop Tool...A carrot peeler and a wood gouge.

10/18/2006 10:33:59 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I forgot the most important toll...A good Imagination

10/18/2006 10:37:13 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I watched Russ Leno carve JohnVanHook's at the Indy state fair, and he had a big bag full of tools, but the ones in his hands (yes both hands at the same time) were Rapala Filet Knives...he also used a variety of carving tools...wooden handles with thin loop type blades attatched. Tons of funs watchin the kid with the baseball cap appear out of that GIANT!!!!!! Peace, Wayne

10/19/2006 12:27:46 AM

New Castle, Pa.

Thanks everyone for some really good ideas!!!
Time to gather up the tools and have some fun.
Tim

10/19/2006 6:52:28 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Ol' Hick', check out "pumpkingutter.com" and "grumpkins.com" too. I think that they both have sections that show what kinds of tools they use. Of course, you could also check out "extremepumpkins.com" if you want to try using a router on a pumpkin or setting one on fire (they mostly have small pumpkins, but they could give you some ideas).

10/19/2006 9:20:21 PM

Johnstown, Ohio

I use the clay tools mostly, but I typically don't cut all the way through in true Jack-o-lantern style. I also use the fillet knoves that Russ uses along with various wood chisels and other knives. My advice is to try different things and find what you like.

-Squashcarver

10/25/2006 2:58:24 PM