Tired of killing my hands with the plastic "awls" and ridiculously-flimsy "saws" in pumpkin-carving kits (such as Pumpkin Masters - the best of a very sad bunch), I decided to try a fettling knife set. Am I glad I did! This product is fabulous! You can even cut very acute angles with it.
I used the coarsest blade. There are about 5 more that are finer.
Let the blade to the work. Almost effortless cutting. Just push it up and down and guide it the way you want it to go. Using this saw is NOT like writing your name or cutting a tuna fish sandwich in half. Takes a little getting used to.
Blades are steel, so wash and dry thoroughly before storage; let dry overnight.
To disassemble: untwist collar and chuck assembly; the blade will now come out.
This is sold as a potter's tool, but it is fantastic for carving pumpkins. The $30 price was a little shocking, but I decided to go for it bcs of the brass fittings.
For carving faces, this product rocks!
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PS 1. Use a fork to demarcate the cutting lines, not the little plastic awl. (I'm assuming you have a plastic set and have come looking for something better.)
PS 2. I also bought the Pumpkin Gutter. This was a disappointment. Suggest you pass on that gadget (but what a fabulous idea!). I am trying to see if I can sharpen the blades on it. Not sure how this might be done - if at all.
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I meant to come back not long after Halloween to review this set, but I guess it took me a while longer!For the last two decades, I have been using the ubiquitous plastic pumpkin carving sets. Shame on me for thinking that was as good as it gets!As soon as you open the package, you'll realize what you've been missing. From the heft of the handle to the sharpness of the blades (really, though, be super careful with those blades!), this is a high-quality set. I almost wondered if I was doing this set a disservice by getting it coated in pumpkin gore!The set comes with a roughing out blade and gradually finer blades for finer work. I initially thought I would only use one or two of the blades and quickly found myself switching them out more frequently! The blades sit very tightly in the handle, however, and might take a little OOMPH to get them changed out.I've attached a photo of the first two pumpkins I carved. It was significantly easier than with the plastic sets, and the whole set is easy to clean afterwards. Just be sure to clean the handle after the blade is removed, as the slots to slip the blade in can get goopy.I'm now a super-spoiled pumpkin carver. I'll never be able to use another carving kit!
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I meant to come back not long after Halloween to review this set, but I guess it took me a while longer!
For the last two decades, I have been using the ubiquitous plastic pumpkin carving sets. Shame on me for thinking that was as good as it gets!
As soon as you open the package, you'll realize what you've been missing. From the heft of the handle to the sharpness of the blades (really, though, be super careful with those blades!), this is a high-quality set. I almost wondered if I was doing this set a disservice by getting it coated in pumpkin gore!
The set comes with a roughing out blade and gradually finer blades for finer work. I initially thought I would only use one or two of the blades and quickly found myself switching them out more frequently! The blades sit very tightly in the handle, however, and might take a little OOMPH to get them changed out.
I've attached a photo of the first two pumpkins I carved. It was significantly easier than with the plastic sets, and the whole set is easy to clean afterwards. Just be sure to clean the handle after the blade is removed, as the slots to slip the blade in can get goopy.
I'm now a super-spoiled pumpkin carver. I'll never be able to use another carving kit!
For the last two decades, I have been using the ubiquitous plastic pumpkin carving sets. Shame on me for thinking that was as good as it gets!
As soon as you open the package, you'll realize what you've been missing. From the heft of the handle to the sharpness of the blades (really, though, be super careful with those blades!), this is a high-quality set. I almost wondered if I was doing this set a disservice by getting it coated in pumpkin gore!
The set comes with a roughing out blade and gradually finer blades for finer work. I initially thought I would only use one or two of the blades and quickly found myself switching them out more frequently! The blades sit very tightly in the handle, however, and might take a little OOMPH to get them changed out.
I've attached a photo of the first two pumpkins I carved. It was significantly easier than with the plastic sets, and the whole set is easy to clean afterwards. Just be sure to clean the handle after the blade is removed, as the slots to slip the blade in can get goopy.
I'm now a super-spoiled pumpkin carver. I'll never be able to use another carving kit!
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