Ahhh, that would explain why the flywheel on the OS-21RG in my Hyper 7 I recently bought is so torn up... I couldn't figure out how the flywheel was so chewed up.

Wouldn't it be better to use something rubber or as soft as the aluminum of the flywheel to minimize damage to it?

True, pinching does lean it out for about 2-3 seconds before dying (if the LSN is tuned right), but I don't think many engines are going to seize in that time if they are at a low idle. As a matter of fact, most manufacturers recommend that method over others. I guess another method could be putting your thumb over the carb inlet, but then I am always too afraid to pull the cleaner base off before cleaning around it so dirt doesn't get in.