Doom Co-Designer Still Owns the Chainsaw That Inspired the Game's Iconic Weapon

Tom Hall's Eager Beaver chainsaw has a storied history at id Software's offices.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:05pm

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Doom co-designer Tom Hall still owns the real-life Eager Beaver chainsaw that was used as the model for the iconic weapon in the original Doom game. The chainsaw was known to leak oil, so it was kept in a bowl at the id Software offices. Despite its age and condition, Hall has held onto the chainsaw all these years.

Why it matters

The Doom chainsaw is one of the most recognizable and beloved weapons in gaming history, so the fact that the real-life inspiration for it still exists is a fascinating piece of video game history. This story provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at the creation of one of Doom's most iconic elements.

The details

According to a post from Romero Games, the chainsaw in Doom was modeled directly after Tom Hall's personal Eager Beaver chainsaw. The chainsaw was known to leak oil, so it was kept in a bowl at the id Software offices during the game's development. Even though the chainsaw is old and still leaks oil, Hall has held onto it all these years.

  • In the 1990s, the Eager Beaver chainsaw was used as the model for the iconic Doom weapon.
  • In 2020, John Romero shared a photo of the chainsaw in its bowl on Instagram.
  • As of 2026, Tom Hall still owns the original Eager Beaver chainsaw that inspired the Doom weapon.

The players

Tom Hall

The co-designer of Doom who owned the real-life Eager Beaver chainsaw that was used as the model for the game's iconic weapon.

John Romero

One of the co-creators of Doom who shared photos of the original Eager Beaver chainsaw that inspired the game's weapon.

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What they’re saying

“The chainsaw in DOOM was modelled off of Tom Hall's Eager Beaver chainsaw. It leaked oil, and so was kept in a bowl in the id offices. Tom still has it!”

— Romero Games

The takeaway

This story provides a fascinating glimpse into the origins of one of gaming's most iconic weapons. The fact that the real-life inspiration for the Doom chainsaw still exists, even with its quirks, is a testament to the lasting impact of the original game and the dedication of its creators.