How to Use Mini Chainsaw Mad Father: Best Guide 2026

The mini chainsaw is one of the most useful items in Mad Father — and one of the most misunderstood. It breaks wooden obstacles, reveals hidden gems, opens shortcuts, and can save you a surprising amount of time on every playthrough. But it is not a weapon, it will not work on every surface, and using it at the wrong moment can get Aya caught.

This guide covers everything you need to know in 2026: how to unlock the saw in each version, how the controls work, what it can and cannot cut, how to use it during chases, and how speedrunners route around it. Whether you are playing Mad Father for the first time or trying to hit 100% collection, these tips will make the saw feel effortless. You can also read our guide on how to choose the right garden hose length.

What Is the Mini Chainsaw in Mad Father?

The mini chainsaw is a key item that Aya picks up during her exploration of the Drevis manor. Its main purpose is environmental interaction: it destroys wooden objects so you can open paths, reach hidden spaces, and collect items.

Think of it less like a weapon and more like a key. When you see something that looks rotten, cracked, splintered, or clearly made of wood, the saw is the answer. You can also read our guide on how to use a chainsaw for beginners.

The saw also has unlimited uses. There is no fuel gauge, no durability meter, and no need to collect extra batteries. The only real cost is the recovery animation after each swing, which is why positioning and timing matter more than button speed.

In most builds of the game, the mini chainsaw will not damage ghosts or scripted enemies. Trying to use it as an attack will usually end with Aya caught. Treat it as a puzzle-solving tool, and it will never let you down. You can also read our guide on best sharpener for garden tools.

Aya's chainsaw is a story item built for breaking obstacles, not for combat.

Image source: cosplayfu.com

How to Unlock the Mini Chainsaw in Every Version

The unlock method depends on which version of Mad Father you are playing. This is the most common point of confusion, so check your build before you assume the saw is missing.

Here is a safe way to find out what applies to your save:

1. Start or load your game.
2. Open the controls or options menu.
3. Look for a dedicated chainsaw binding.
4. If you see it, press the assigned key during exploration.
5. If nothing happens, keep progressing until the story gives Aya the tool.
6. If you are on the original freeware version, complete one full run and load your clear save.

The quickest way to confirm which build you own is to check the Steam store listing for the version you installed, since the remake’s store page clearly lists the expanded story content and updated presentation. You can also read our guide on battery vs gas chainsaw.

The controls menu will tell you immediately whether the chainsaw input exists in your build.

Image source: youtube.com

Controls, Keybinds, and Basic Moves

Once you have the saw, the actual swing is simple. The problem is almost never the button prompt; it is positioning, timing, and accidentally pressing the wrong key.

Default Controls

How to Swing Correctly

Follow these steps every time you approach a wooden obstacle:

1. Stand directly in front of the object, about one tile away.
2. Face the object squarely, not at a diagonal.
3. Press the chainsaw key once.
4. Wait for the swing animation and recovery period to finish.
5. Walk over the debris to collect anything that drops.

Positioning Rules That Matter

• Do not spam the button. One clean press connects; repeated taps can lock you into an animation or cause a missed swing.
• Separate your keybinds. If the sprint key and chainsaw key are the same, you will accidentally swing while trying to run. Rebind them.
• Adjust by one tile. If the swing misses, step left or right, then try again. Aya needs to be aligned with the object’s tile, not just near it.

In practice, the players who struggle with the saw are usually standing at a diagonal. Square yourself up and the swing will connect almost every time. You can also read our guide on how long does a chainsaw chain last.

What Can the Mini Chainsaw Cut?

The mini chainsaw is powerful but selective. It will not work on everything, and forcing it only wastes time.

Breakable Wood

• Wooden crates and barrels
• Rotten trees or exposed roots blocking a path
• Warped planks nailed over doors
• Brittle furniture, such as old chairs and cabinets
• Cracked or rotten walls that look visibly damaged

Unbreakable Materials

• Metal bars, locks, grates, and chains
• Stone walls and clean tile
• Doors that require a specific key or puzzle step
• Scripted enemies and ghost encounters

The game is consistent with its visual design. If the object looks wooden, worn, or splintered, the saw opens it. If it looks metallic, heavy, or entirely solid, look for a key, lever, or puzzle solution nearby.

The in-game saw has a fixed one-tile reach, so you never have to worry about bar length trade-offs the way you would when choosing real equipment. What matters is reading the material and choosing the right tool for that specific obstacle.

If it looks splintered, the saw will open it. If it looks metal, solve a puzzle instead.

Image source: youtube.com

Step-by-Step: Clear a Blocked Room

When you enter a room that looks blocked, use this pattern to stay calm and efficient:

1. Scan for wood. Look for crates, barrels, floorboards, or walls with stains and cracks.
2. Approach and face the object. Line Aya up from the front on the correct tile.
3. Press the saw key once. Watch for the breaking effect or sound cue.
4. Check the debris. Walk over the remains to pick up gems, keys, and other items.
5. Move to the next blocker. Repeat the same clean swing.

A common mistake is trying to cut from a diagonal angle. In my experience, you must square up with the object. That tiny positioning fix turns a frustrating encounter into a quick, smooth sequence.

Once a room is fully cleared, its layout becomes much easier to read — just like a properly maintained garden bed needs cleaner, safer edges to look intentional.

Using the Mini Chainsaw During Chases

You will spend a fair amount of time running from enemies in Mad Father. The saw is not a weapon, but it can still save you during chase sequences if you plan ahead.

• Clear paths before danger arrives. Break wooden obstacles while the room is calm so you never have to stop during a pursuit.
• Create loop paths. Breaking a barrel early can open a secondary route that lets you circle around a pursuer.
• Never swing when an enemy is close. The recovery animation is long enough to get Aya caught. If you see a ghost nearby, run first and cut later.

The key is timing. Use the saw to shape the arena before the threat appears, not during the moment of panic. Escape routes are just as important as swinging the saw.

Speedrunning and 100% Collection with the Saw

For players who want a faster clear or a complete item collection, the mini chainsaw is one of the best routing tools in the game.

Speedrunning Tips

• Cut on the first pass. Whenever you enter a room, break every wooden object before leaving. This prevents backtracking.
• Pre-aim while walking. As you approach an obstacle, position Aya so she stops on the correct tile automatically.
• Do not fight the camera. If the swing misses, adjust one tile instead of re-entering the room or mashing the button.

Gem Collection Tips

• Break every wooden object you see. Crates, barrels, and brittle furniture often hide gems.
• Always inspect the debris pile. Some gems only appear after the object is broken.
• Treat the saw as your exploration scanner. If an object is wood, cut it. If it is metal, move on and solve the puzzle.

A virtual saw never needs a tune-up, but a real one benefits from regular carburetor cleaning. In the game, the only “maintenance” you need is a clean route and a clean swing.

Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Even experienced players run into the same issues with the saw. Here is how to fix them instantly.

If you are still stuck, slow down. Save, reload, and try one clean swing from the correct angle. It works far more often than mashing.

In Mad Father, you switch methods when the saw does not work — the same way you would switch to a dedicated shovel for digging in compacted soil instead of forcing the wrong tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the mini chainsaw in my version?

In the remake, you receive it through story progression. In the original freeware version, you may need a clear save file. Check your controls menu to see whether the chainsaw input is available.

What key uses the mini chainsaw?

The default is often Shift on PC keyboard. On most controllers, it is a shoulder button. Open the options menu and rebind it if the default feels awkward.

Can I fight enemies with the mini chainsaw?

No. In most builds, it will not damage or stop the ghosts and scripted enemies. Use it for breaking objects and opening paths, not combat.

Why does the saw not work on this door?

Many doors need a specific key or puzzle step. If the door is not wooden or looks solid, the saw will not break it. Search the area for a hint or item.

Does the mini chainsaw need fuel?

No, it has infinite uses. There is no fuel tank, no two-stroke mix, and no reason to worry about unblended gasoline. The only limit is the short recovery time after each swing.

What can I break for gems?

Break wooden crates, barrels, and brittle furniture. Always check the debris afterward, because gems can drop from those objects.

Is the mini chainsaw needed for 100% completion?

In most playthroughs, yes. It opens hidden areas and makes it much easier to collect every gem without repeated backtracking.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the mini chainsaw in Mad Father comes down to three things: a clear keybinding, precise positioning, and smart timing.

Use it on wood, avoid using it as a weapon, and clear obstacles early so you never have to saw mid-chase. Before long, the saw will feel like a natural part of Aya’s movement — not a clunky item you have to think about.

If you are also keeping real outdoor equipment running, the same “right tool for the material” mindset applies. Reliable gear comes from consistent care, including fuel stabilizer routines before storage.

Bookmark this guide before your next run, and try one new routing idea each time you play. The faster you clear rooms, the more gems you will find — and the more enjoyable Mad Father becomes.