The best pumpkin carving kits in 2021
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- Quality pumpkin-carving kits make the task easier, safer, and more fun.
- We researched dozens of kits to find ones suitable for finely detailed designs as basic carving.
- Our top pick, the Elmchee Halloween 13-Piece Professional Kit, includes tools for large-scale work, detail work, and everything in between.
October is here, which means it's almost time to pick out those perfect pumpkins and start coming up with pumpkin carving ideas. Carving pumpkins isn't always the easiest, though, and if you don't have the right tools, the end result probably won't be what you'd hoped for. While these pumpkin carving kits won't make you a master carver, they will help by making your carving project easier and safer.
There's nothing more frustrating than picking up a kit only to discover that the tools aren't right for the job once you get started. Broken or dull tools can injure you and make it nearly impossible to get a good result from your work. To help, we researched dozens of pumpkin carving kits to find ones that are durable, practical, and useful for specific carving needs. We looked at the materials that make up these kits and the types of tools needed for different types of carving.
The carving kits that we've chosen give you versatility. Whether you're looking for something a child can use to carve their first pumpkin or tools that will give you an edge in the neighborhood pumpkin-carving competition.
Here are the best pumpkin carving kits in 2021
- Best pumpkin carving kit overall: Elmchee Halloween 13-Piece Professional Kit
- Best pumpkin carving kit for detail work: Gimars 12-Piece Carving Tools Set
- Best budget pumpkin carving kit: The Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Kit
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No matter what style of pumpkin carving you'd like to try, the Elmchee Halloween 13-Piece Professional Kit has the range of tools you'll need.
Pros: 13 tools offer a wide assortment, durable construction for multiyear use, includes a case
Cons: Not recommended for children under 9
When it comes to pumpkin carving, you may be looking to do a basic jack-o'-lantern, or you may have grander aspirations of a highly detailed design. Either way, the Elmchee Halloween 13-Piece Professional Kit has a wide variety of tools to suit your carving style. This kit includes six double-sided detail work tools, as well as two heavy-duty scoops and scrapers, two tooth saws, two hole and circle punches, and one engraving pen. With this one kit, you'll have all of the tools you need to sculpt, peel, shape, and cut, and the included zippered nylon case offers a convenient storage option.
The tools themselves are well-constructed. With wooden handles, the detail sculpting tools offer improved grip, and the larger-area tools have ergonomically designed plastic handles. To keep the kit organized, the case is divided into sections for each tool.
Best budget pumpkin carving kitAmazon
With all the pumpkin carving basics included, the Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Kit's real appeal is that its price.
Pros: Includes basic essential tools and 10 stencils, affordable price point
Cons: Lower-quality tools probably won't last for multiyear use, limited selection of tools
If you're looking for a basic and affordable carving kit this year, the Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Kit contains all of the tools that you need. With this kit, you'll receive two carving tools, one marker, and one pumpkin scooper, as well as 10 carving patterns. While the kit is basic, it's a good affordable option if you're just going to carve one or two small pumpkins, or if you have multiple kids and want them to each have their own kit to use.
The pumpkin scooper has smooth edges, which is recommended for long-lasting pumpkin carving. While this kit does include the essentials, it's not the highest-quality kit out there. The tools have plastic handles and aren't durable enough for use across multiple seasons. Instead, plan on using this kit as a single-use-only option.
Compared to other budget-priced kits, though, this kit has proven to be more durable and to work better than other low-cost kits, according to reviews.
Best pumpkin carving kit for detail workAmazon
The Gimars 12-Piece Wood Carving Tools Set is versatile enough to be suitable for pumpkins and woodworking and offers wood-handled tools at an affordable price.
Pros: Large assortment of tools for detail work, quality construction with wooden handles and carbon steel blades, affordable price
Cons: No carrying case included, tools are very sharp and not suitable for young children, tools are only suitable for detail work and not larger-scale carving
When you're carving or etching details on a pumpkin, a good grip on your tools matters. The Gimars 12-Piece Wood Carving Tools Set offers an assortment of tools for detail work, all with wooden handles at an affordable price. This kit includes 12 carving tools with blades featuring different shapes for different effects. Blade options include deep gouge, medium gouge, shallow gouge, narrow straight chisel, wide straight chisel, rounded chisel, four angled knives, a parting tool, and a pinpoint tool.
The strength of this kit is in its versatility and design. With a dozen detail tools, you'll be able to choose the perfect blade for the effect you're looking for in an intricate pumpkin design. All of the handles are made of wood for both durability and comfort, and the blade heads are made of carbon steel.
While these tools will certainly carve pumpkins, they can be used for more than just Halloween preparation. This kit is suitable for use on linoleum, clay sculptures, soapstone, and softwoods like pine, hickory, and poplar. An Insider Picks editor has used this set for three consecutive years. Aside from all of the tools serving their intended purpose for pumpkin-carving, she was even able to use the gouge tools to add texture to a gourd design.
See more great fall buying guidesRoland Weihrauch/picture alliance via Getty