Over the years I've carved a lot of Halloween pumpkins, mostly for work related parties or contests. My primary tool has always been a Swiss army knife, but I've also used wood chisels in my last two pumpkins to add more details.

Goblin Pumpkin - Swiss army knife

Skull Pumpkin (Lit) - Swiss army knife

Skull Pumpkin - Swiss army knife

 Contemplation of Mortality Pumpkin - Swiss army knife and drill (for the pupil)

Contemplation of Mortality Pumpkin (Side 1)

Contemplation of Mortality Pumpkin (Side 2)

Ghoulish Pumpkin - Swiss army knife and chisel

Demonic Pumpkin (Side 1) - Swiss army knife and chisel

Demonic Pumpkin (Side 2)

My carving process. I based this pumpkin on a picture of a demon I found on the internet. The thickness of the pumpkin dictates the amount of detail I am able to add.  I've seen some very cool pumpkins carved by real professionals on the web - amazing what can be done with this versatile fruit.

At my last company I won the annual Halloween pumpkin carving contest 4 years in a row. I left in my fifth year just two months before Halloween. (They gave me a new trophy with the spelling error corrected for 2013)

Four time repeat Halloween Pumpkin Carving Champion 2010 - 2013.