I use pruning shears.

Anvil pruners work great. Also, if you have lots to cut, I suggest getting arm guards or using the plastic sleeves newspapers are delivered in on rainy days. They slip right over your arms and prevent the pokes and cuts.
DD

I wear long sleeved shirts and heavy jeans to cut squash. I get a pretty bad skin allergy when the plants touch my skin-I look like I have a bad case of poison oak if I don't protect my skin.

I use a pocket knife to cut squashes of the plant. I have found most patty pan can be pulled from the plants easily, as can Zephyr squash (knowledge I got from discovering I had no knife and it would be a 1/2 mile walk back to the shed to find it or another)

lucy

I just came in from cutting another box. Thanks for the tips--i'll give that patty pan pulling a try and see if we have any anvil types around.

Scott