Vivront founder Joseph Rueter joined FOX9 to share his best tips for safe, simple pumpkin carving using the knives you already have at home. As families gear up for fall traditions, Joseph explained why sharpness matters, how to stay in control while carving, and why a little patience (and a properly sharpened knife) can make all the difference this season.
Interview Transcript:
Host 1:
We’ve all seen those pumpkin carving kits at the store, maybe you’ve got one tucked away somewhere. But sometimes they break, even the good ones. You don’t actually need all that to get the job done. You probably already have the tools you need right in your kitchen.
We’ve got Joseph Rueter, owner of the local knife shop Vivront, here to show us how to safely use what you have and make carving easier.
Not all knives are created equal though. Yours are, like, next level.
Joseph:
No, no. These are entry-level, around thirty or forty bucks. They don’t have to be crazy expensive. And we care for all kinds of knives, at all price points.
Host 2:
(Laughs) And you probably don’t want to use your really nice knives for pumpkin carving… or do you?
Joseph:
Yeah, the big ones are actually harder to turn. You might want to optimize for control. Sharp knives are great, but dull ones are everywhere. Around this time of year, there are about two and a half million households in Minnesota with dull knives and a whole bunch of pumpkins to carve.
If your knife starts bouncing off the food, it’s time to sharpen it. And for smaller work, use smaller knives for better control.
Host 1:
So you carved all these pumpkins with just kitchen knives?
Joseph:
I’m not a pumpkin-carving champion yet. My kids did most of the work. I just optimized their tools.
Host 2:
Smart! So what kind of tools did they use?
Joseph:
You can do a lot with regular kitchen tools. Even two skewers or small hooks work great for detail work. And if you want to do designs or logos, print your design, pin it, trace it, and then use the knife tips for the fine details.
Like in baseball, choke up on the handle. Work close and slow.
Host 1:
Patience. Got it.
Joseph:
Exactly. Put on a podcast or some music you like. Breathe. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. You don’t have to go fast until you’re confident.
Host 2:
That’s probably my problem, no patience. What about where we carve? Ground, counter, table—does it matter?
Joseph:
Good question. As I get older, my knees don’t love the ground, so I use a tray on a table. If your pumpkin rolls, you’re making it harder for yourself. When you’re at the patch, pick one that’s flatter.
Then, set it on a big pan or tray. To steady it, put a damp towel or even canning jar lids underneath. That keeps it from slipping.
And the seeds, those go everywhere. But they’re great roasted. Just dry them off and pop them in a 350-degree oven. We’ve got a recipe for that on our website, along with these carving tips.
Host 2:
Love it. Okay, back to dull knives—how do you know for sure they’re dull?
Joseph:
If the knife bounces off food, it’s dull. But don’t feel bad about it. Knives are like shoes; they wear down with use. When they’re dull, you just get them sharpened.
Here’s an easy test: try cutting paper. A dull knife will push and tear. A sharp one will glide and even curve in an “S” shape. And really, there are enough fights in the kitchen already. Don’t make one with your food.
Host 1:
(Laughs) Reduce the fights. I like that.
Host 2:
Any other quick pumpkin carving tips? You’ve got some pens here. Do you draw ahead of time?
Joseph:
Yeah. Permanent markers can help since they give you high contrast and you want plenty of light. If you use dry-erase markers, they’ll rub off easily, so you can follow your marks and wipe them away when you’re done.
Just be careful. If you use a permanent one and miss your lines, it’s very obvious. Suddenly the eyes on your pumpkin get a lot bigger.
Host 2:
(Laughs) Been there. Thank you so much, Joseph. Appreciate your time. Again, where can people find your shop?
Joseph:
We’re at 50th & France. And if you’re not headed there to get your knives sharpened, you can stop by any Kowalski’s store. We have our SHARPOW mail-in sharpening kits there to make it easy.
Host 2:
Perfect. Thanks again.
Joseph:
Thank you.