Abstract: A tool has a tool element extending longitudinally of a handle. The handle has a body portion, a neck portion and a head portion with a forward base. The neck portion has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the forward base. The body portion is generally oval in cross-section. The body portion has a major transverse axis dimension that decreases from a proximal end that is adjacent to the neck toward a distal tip and a minor transverse axis dimension that is less than the major transverse axis dimension. A skin of cushion material may be disposed over a major part of the body portion.

Abstract: A piercing tool to form a series of puncture marks in soft materials, such as pumpkins, is provided. The tool includes a handle, a working head, and a plurality of piercing elements, which may be formed as a one-piece plastic construction. The working head may be a flat blade terminating in an arcuate distal end with outwardly divergent side edges and an area of increased thickness to minimize lateral deflection of the blade while in use. The piercing elements project from the working head in a plane and may have a common height and configuration or include a primary tooth flanked by secondary teeth of a different height and configuration than the primary tooth. A method of forming a series of puncture marks is also provided and includes the steps of driving one piercing element into the material and advancing the tool to drive in an adjacent piercing element.