ZP Pro Pumpkin Carving Tool

[Tj]

Just got the Walnut Pumpkin Tool a couple weeks ago, literally a couple days before the Acrylic one went up (no worries, I'll pick it up at some point too). Where has this thing been most of my life? Not sure how I managed to carve so many pumpkins with those kits; my hand shrivels up in pain at the thought of them now.

The only suggestion that I have is that there's a small learning curve. If you are used to carving with the Pumpkin Masters kits, you're probably using a little bit of pressure to move the tool. The Z.P. Pumpkin Tool has actual teeth and moves through a pumpkin like butter... pressure is not really needed. Just takes a couple minutes to get used to.

It's hard to express how much I love this tool; although I have always loved carving, I always kind of dreaded the process every year 'cause I knew my hand would be in severe pain after a pumpkin or two. It really makes the entire process of carving pumpkins more enjoyable for me. I'll easily order at least one more set for next year.

[Zombie Pumpkins!]

Thanks for that positive review, Tj... I appreciate it.

The Pro Pumpkin Carving Tool seemed to be a hit yet again this year. The orange acrylic handles sold out. Looking forward to reading over everyone's reviews and comments, to see if there are other variations or improvements we can aim for next year.

[Euri]

Hopefully the orange handle will be back! I missed out. I'll be getting a walnut handle soon, I hope.

[Hottie McNaughty]

I've got two of the wood handles and wanted to purchase one of the orange ones after Halloween. Ryan, will these be back in stock before next Halloween?

[Chewy]

Admittedly, i didnt get to carve as much as normal, but i did get to try out my shiny new ZP tool & overall, was definitely happy. Like almost everything I touch, i did find a couple of things that I thought - jeez, wouldnt it be nice if...

I found i had to go back to thinning more than i was used to. One of the PM tools i have actually has a pretty long blade (they called it a "fine blade" - its not really, their foamie saw is what i call fine (and stiffer than normal, just too darn short), i can get away with thicker skins.

So.. if you ask me, the fine ZP blade, it would sure be nice if it could be 1/4-3/8" longer. I think the blade is thick enough / stiff enough that it would support being a little longer.

Second observation, it did certainly penetrate better than a stock PM tool, but, ive modified most of mine (sharpened the tips so they make the initial penetration smoother & with less force = less chance of OOPS!). A chisel tip / ground point would also be a super premium feature too.

And, since im talking about "wouldnt it be nice" - what i'd really like for the occasional section of back cutting - would be a blade that is serrated on both edges - would save a little bit of effort in turning the blade around. I recall seeing a japanese woodworking saw like that in a lee valley catalog once (but much larger of course).

I wont suggest a solution for the ham handed (like me) though, i just assume now since i cant often buy gloves off the shelf that fit, it also follows that some tools just arent an ergonomic fit. Neither are softball gloves and blackberrys (i can cover the whole keyboard with my thumbs... sigh)

anyway, my two cents. Thanks for a great product. Well worth the investment & will need to buy at least one more for next season so my daughter and i dont get into a tussle over who has to use the crappy old tools. Hmm... maybe a christmas present for her... LOL

[suzika]

I have been bragging on your carving tools all over the place, especially in the places where I won carving contests (three online this year, woohoo)

[Zombie Pumpkins!]

I've got two of the wood handles and wanted to purchase one of the orange ones after Halloween. Ryan, will these be back in stock before next Halloween?

At this point, I'm not sure if the orange acrylic handles will be back. For starters, they didn't sell as well as the wood ones for some reason. But that alone wouldn't stop me from carrying them in my shop....

The companies that manufacture these for me (and this includes the producer of the plastic, the fabricator of the tool parts, and the laser engraver of the logo) all mentioned that this material was tougher to work with, compared to the wood.

The process is more difficult, time consuming, and costly. So... we'll have to see what solutions we can come up with, if any. I'd like to offer them again (maybe in other colors) but... I wouldn't count on it necessarily. These sparkly swirly orange handles from the 2011 season might have been a limited edition experiment.

[Zombie Pumpkins!]

if you ask me, the fine ZP blade, it would sure be nice if it could be 1/4-3/8" longer...

A chisel tip / ground point would also be a super premium feature too...

for the occasional section of back cutting... a blade that is serrated on both edges

Hey, these are all great suggestions, Chewy! I agree with you that a longer fine blade would be useful. It's something I've been trying to do, but it just hasn't happened yet. A sharper point and dual serrated edges would make this a super tool. I'll keep exploring the options and see what I can deliver.

I've actually experimented with many trial versions of handles and blades over the years (my pumpkin toolbox full of mismatched pieces of test products, hehe). So far I haven't found any better blade options than what I offer, but your ideas will point my research in the right direction.

[Beast75]

Just ordered one of these and cant wait to use it

[zombombie]

You won't regret it Beast75!

[SuperSonic]

I personally (from a safety point of view) think that a dual serated edge, would be nice, but to me it seems like its a safety concern. Just because it has two edges and those who dont know how to change the blades, would run into major problems I think.

I REALLY would love a blue/red and black handle out of the acrylic ZP! tool, but this is wishful thinking. Even Red and White for use Canadians

However, I do not control what happens so what it will be is what it will be.

[Hottie McNaughty]

It's NOT safe so don't try this at home but because I work in a medical setting I have access to scalpel blades so I use those for certain areas of carving. Eventually I'm sure I'll accidentally lop off an important body part but man, they slice through 'kins like buttah!

[pagemaster1993]

It's NOT safe so don't try this at home but because I work in a medical setting I have access to scalpel blades so I use those for certain areas of carving. Eventually I'm sure I'll accidentally lop off an important body part but man, they slice through 'kins like buttah!

I do not know why, but some how I see you in full surgery get up carving a pumpkin, and asking some one to hand you all you need at the moment you need it.

[Hottie McNaughty]

It's NOT safe so don't try this at home but because I work in a medical setting I have access to scalpel blades so I use those for certain areas of carving. Eventually I'm sure I'll accidentally lop off an important body part but man, they slice through 'kins like buttah!

I do not know why, but some how I see you in full surgery get up carving a pumpkin, and asking some one to hand you all you need at the moment you need it.

That would be marvelous!

[Zombie Pumpkins!]

A large batch of ZP Pro Pumpkin Carving Tools, freshly engraved. Inventory in the shop has been updated, should be plenty to go around.