This year, we bought 4 pumpkins from a campground in Ithaca. They were only $2-$3 each so at that price we couldn’t resist bringing home the biggest, bestest ones they had. But big pumpkins are thick and meaty, making them much harder to carve.

Luckily, we’ve got a lot of carving experience. Back when we had leisure time I used to carve very complex pumpkins. The type you see Martha Stewart bust out in 5 minutes on her tv show but then end up spending 3 hours cursing over at your kitchen table. We have tried every tool in the book, including clay modeling tools, dental picks, and ice cream scoopers. Wanna know the secret to incredibly easy carving?

Ditch that worn-out steak knive, and go get yourself a nice sharp compass saw or jab saw. You’ve probably already got one hanging around your house but if you don’t they’re very affordable – and very handy!

Ten times better than the tiny little saw that comes in all those carving kits they sell in stores, a jab saw cuts through squash like it’s butter and is much easier to maneuver around curves. The one we had on hand was about 9 inches long, but they make daintier ones if you’re hoping to create fancy designer pumpkins.  I’d say the jab saw is an adults-only tool, but aren’t almost all pumpkin carving implements?

This year’s jack-o-lantern masterpieces are simpler than in years past, but I think that our trick-or-treaters might appreciate them a little more than the sophisticated (and life-zapping) kind!