I'm kicking myself today because I saw a Leatherman Charge at a second-hand store before Christmas for $35 and I didn't buy it. (Note to self: buy it next even if it is 2 days before Christmas.) I went back today but of course it was gone.

DS is ready for a multi-tool and I thought I'd upgrade and give him my Wave. No such luck but they did have this Stanley for $5. It doesn't lock but he really just wants the pilars right now, for lifting pots out of the fire, and maybe the can and bottle opener. It'll do until his birthday in July.

I'm thinking a Wave or the new Gerber Crucial. Any suggestions?

(See Teslinhiker's link below. New tablet - sorry!)

That Stanley in the link looks like the same as a friends 10yr old has. Nothing wrong with it for a first multi-tool and will do fine for your son until his birthday.

BTW, you or a MOD need to fix the link in your post!

Here is the shortened version

Thanks Teslinhiker. I'm still working out the kinks with my new tablet. Sorry!

The only thing I don't like about the Stanley is that the blades don't lock. It' seems lighter than my Wave and has a nice contour that fits his hand well.

I agree. I know someone who bought a Gerber multi-tool for his young teenage son and it was almost impossible to close the blade without serious risk of loosing a finger or two...

Mine is going to be 6 in Jan, I was thinking about the knifeless fuse so if he were to carry it to school or something it should be safer.

The leatherman wingman for $25 at home depot is one of the best deal on the market right now. Dunno if they still have it, MEC has it too for a few bucks more.

Gerbers are fine, many people are prejudiced against the brand but they have good and bad models, the classic slide head 400/600 are solid, if not very ergonomic. Go to multitool.org if you want to find out more about them.

Thanks guys! I'm going to go have a look at the Wingman and Fuse. I love my Wave and Kick.

Thanks for the amazon tip Izzy. I know how you feel about Gerbers. I've read a few good reviews of the Crucial but for $60... ? I'll put my money on Leatherman every time even at double the cost.

We have a brand new Sail store in town and they have a very nice looking hands-on knife display that's been calling my name.

Canadian Tire has a Schrade with small folder on sale this week. I've heard good things about Schrade but have no personal experience. The multitool has a smaller profile that looks like it would be good for little hands but looks really flimsy. It doesn't look stable enough to use the blades inside safely. Has anyone used one? (I don't really want to buy something we can't hold in our hands first anyway.)

If you like the design and features of the Gerber Crucial, check out the Leatherman Skeltool or Skeltool CX. For a long time the CX was my EDC, but replaced about a year ago for Victorinox Compact to save pocket bulk and weight.

Thanks Mark! I'll add Skeltools to my, umm, research list.