I know you said you're looking for non pumpkin related tools but don't sleep on the small saw found in most pumpkin carving kits. This tool works wonders when doing patterns that require cuts that are delicate or multiple cuts that are close to each other. Getting good with that tool will produce amazing results.

As for other non pumpkin specific tools:

-A dremel is great for half-carving. Dremel even makes a kit specifically for carving pumpkins. Any nice generic bit kit will go along way to help you carve. Just be prepared for the splatter that goes along with it.

-A standard drill for doing patterns that need many holes.

• Flour (it's a tool now!) for visualizing a pattern that you are tracing from a printed pattern.

I'm sure there are more. I'm not that great at the sculpting version of pumpkin carving though.

I use an exacto knife and woodworking tools. I usually use the exacto knife to line out my carve, then use different woodworking tools to shave off layers of pumpkin. After you get past the 'skin', the pumpkin is softer. If you need to play with more or less light coming through, you can thin your pumpkin from the inside as well. Just don't shave off too much or the light will show through everywhere.

Linoleum tools, clay tools and a dremel saw can all get you to the next level. Check out stoneykins for some tutorials.

Cheap woodcarving tools, like from craft stores.

I used a Dremel last year. It was the messiest thing I've ever done, but it was the fastest I'd ever carved.

Metal spoon. Serrated knife. Like actual cooking knives. They are produce.

Wanna go pro? Get yourself some flat-bladed egg beaters from a thrift store, & chuck them into a cordless drill.

I have never hollowed pumpkins faster & easier.

As for actual carving, woodworking tools, rasps, & various miscellaneous kitchen tools work great & won’t break.

I use a drywall keyhole saw to carve and a big metal spoon to gut.

This year I am trying engraving attachments on a Dremel. I will report back with how they work.

Honestly steak knives and big spoon. Terrible tools but they get the job done.

I have the most amazing attachment for my power drill that deguts a pumpkin in less than 30 seconds.

Neither. Sawzall only.

I use a kit I bought from zombie pumpkins website.

100% dremel and a foot pedal. And a couple of bucks worth of credits here

I prefer a saw. I got a pretty decent black handled kit at home depot for $13. Stainless steel. I hoped it would last because it looked way better than the orange ones you find at the grocery store. I can tell ill probably break the blade off the fine carving saw after a few more pumpkins though.

Ive heard of people using a dremel. I tried it with an 1/8th" bit and it is messy and doesnt get the detail. Maybe they have another option for pumpkins i'm not familiar with but a jig saw motion works better than a spinning bit imo. Ill stick to hand carving with serrated blades.

What type of tools did you use?

I think it's really cool annd just a bit creepy. Great Job!

I really like 10 and 13, I don't usually carve pumpkins the way you do by just skinning it and leaving the image untouched but I think I'm going to try it this year

Sasuke eyes look great. I might try it and put red marbles in the holes for the sharingan glow.

Speedball linoleum cutters and all the blades! They store inside the handle. I also like to use clay sculpting tools of all sizes. The big ones are great for making the inside walls of your pumpkin thin and smooth.

A $7.00 drywall saw is far superior to any $200 safe queen.

The $2 kid safe pumpkin carving knife/saw is by far the best option!

I used a Victorinox paring knife, and a jigsaw blade clamped in a pair of Vise-grips.

I've been a professional pumpkin carver for 20 years at a show called the "Jackolantern Spectacular" in Rhode Island. In my experience, the best tool fpr most people to use is a keyhole saw/drywall saw. It is serrated, amd sharp enough to cut well, but flexible enough to allow for easy changes in direction, curves, etc.

I used my saw on the leatherman wave!

Could I use the drywall tool on a pumpkin? Asking for a friend.

Wrong tool. Use a rotozip

Drywall rotozip saw

SO - I too had this genius idea - and used my old plug in sawzall to do this. I found out when I went to use it again next time that pumpkins have a LOT of moisture. Powertools don't like moisture. It made it so that I had to force the lock/unlock pin for the blade (it didn't want to release with the lever).

Meh - no biggie since I already have a cordless DeWalt sawzall - I just made the crusty one my pumpkin sawzall. But beware - using power tools to carve a pumpkin can expose them to more moisture than you expect.

Jigsaw

Only suggestion I would make is to reverse the blade directions so they cut on the pull stroke rather than the push stroke. That is part of the problems with those cheap store bought ones as well. The blades flex as you try and cut on the push, and eventually break.

Nice! Are those jigsaw blades?

Thanks for the constructive criticism. I haven’t had a chance to use them yet, but I did make sure to pick blades that also cut on the pull/reverse direction. Not sure how effective it will be, but that’s how they were marketed.

That’s actually a really creative idea! Think I’ll make a few myself

Dremel now sells a pumpkin carving tool/kit with a few pieces for only $15-20 I think