For those of you that use a chainsaw,

[oct31man]

How do you scare with it? Do you hide in the shadows with it idling? Do you start it up as you approach the victims? Do you run or walk?

I am thinking of using one, and am curious of the best techniques that you all use.

[Eric Striffler]

Well for our exhibit, our chainsaw guy flips a switch with his foot as he exits our "shack" and it turns on 1 strobe light aiming at him and 1 strobe light aiming at the group to get in their eyes. Then he comes running out with the chainsaw and people usually run.

When I was at another local haunt the other night, the Chainsaw guy pulled a TCM and swung the saw around like a maniac. I thought it looked AWESOME. :D

[slimy]

If you run the chainsaw enough, that is to keep it 'warm' it will start on the first pull. That starting sound will make people run.


Here is my secret: I don't use a chainsaw at all. My 'chainsaw' is actually a gas powered leaf blower. It sounds sort of like a chainsaw. You still get that 'wrooo wroooo chugg' sound and when the guy is chasing you, you feel a blast of air at your feet. It's a two for one scare and there is really no danger of anyone getting hurt.

It lets people's imaginations run wild and I highly recommend using a leaf blower over a real chainsaw.

[Eric Striffler]

Leafblower was our second option if we couldn't get a chainsaw.
However two days ago we actually got one for realz to use so we don't need the leafblower lol

[buckiscaryguy]

My chainsaw guy is on a (flat) roof over the porch. When the kiddies approach, he is backlit with a red spot, the saw is fired up, and the TOTs scatter. This seems to work b/c it catches them off guard, plus no chance of accidental contact with the blade-less saw. Last year we had two separate sets of parents that wouldn't venture up the driveway.