An Idaho man broke a potentially deadly Guinness World Record he has pledged to never attempt again: the longest duration balancing a running chainsaw on the chin.
David Rush, who holds the most concurrent Guinness World Records titles, attempted the record at his oldest son’s last soccer practice of the season in May 2025, and the record-keeping organization has now confirmed he officially holds the title.
“Some records are simple. Some are hard. Some are flat-out terrifying. Balancing a running chainsaw on my chin falls squarely into the ‘terrifying’ category, a challenge that took me years to even work up the nerve to attempt,” Rush wrote online.
He opted to use an electric chainsaw instead of a gas-powered tool for the attempt, to prevent the jerky and unpredictable motions of a two-stroke engine.
Rush said there were still numerous obstacles involved, including oil dripping from the blade onto his face, necessitating the use of safety goggles.
“I had to keep the center of gravity just above my chin while the blade spun inches from my face. The oil dripped down and my nerves ramped up,” Rush said.
He ended up keeping the chainsaw balanced for 4 minutes and 1.44 seconds before letting it fall, enough to take the record.
“I have no desire to ever do this one again, but I’m proud that the record is mine. It was a powerful reminder that while we can push ourselves to extraordinary lengths, we must also respect the lines between determination and sheer recklessness,” he said.
