Was thinking about this while I was cutting today. The only time I've ever had the brake on unintentionally was when the saw was just getting through a 4' log that was a couple of inches off the ground (thanks to the loader and grapple ;-) ), and the big round bumped the lever as I was pulling out of the cut and the round settled into the dirt. I've never experienced any kind of kickback. I like to think it's because I'm always watching the tip of the bar, and always aware of what's going on, but I suppose it will happen. I'm constantly moving stuff so there is a clear area to work. The best way to control kickback is to avoid it.