1st multi-tools

ducktapehero · **on:** November 04, 2009, 09:10:03 PM

A few days ago my son(4) and I were "fixing" his car. We had it up on the coffee table and as usual had an assortment of his play tools and a couple of my multi-tools. I let him play with my multi-tools when we're doing this. He deosn't open the knife blade of course but I let him play with the screwdriver and the pliers. And yes, I'm always right there supervising him.

So anyway, he says that he wants a real multi-tool instead of his plastic tools. Of course I immediately told him that I would get him one when he's older. But as I thought about it I decided there was one I could give him. I have a couple of Swiss-Tech 6-in-1 folding pliers and figured it wouldn't hurt to let him have one. Yes I do watch him closely when he's playing with it.

Boy was he happy, he bragged to everyone how he was a big boy and had finally become old enough to have a real multi-tool just like Daddy's. And of course it was bittersweet for me, on one hand my boy took a big step in his life but OTOH it proved that he's no longer a baby or even a toddler. He's getting to be a big boy and soon I'll be giving him his 1st knife, and then his 1st BB gun and next etc etc....

So, you parents, what was the 1st "multi-tool" that you gave your kids?

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2009, 09:16:10 PM

I gave my boy a Swisstech when he was 4 too, and I've never had any problems

I didn't give him the one without the small drivers though, as I didn't want to run the risk of him falling on them $:-\$

DaveK · **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2009, 09:17:42 PM

My son has a Leatherman Wave, my daughter has several tools now. I think the first was a PST II, but I'm not totally sure about that.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2009, 09:24:59 PM

My kids have had SAKs (compacts I believe) when they were old enough to know how to safely open a knife (around 6-7) My daughter has a Kobalt MT and a SwissCard (which she prefers).

My son has never been a tool guy, but he really likes his LM Juice CS4. He never got on with SAKs but appreciates his birth year Soldier.

To me, it depends on the kid. When you're comfortable that they know proper knife useage, (and you trust them), they're ready--age independent really.

ecfiffer · **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:26:30 AM

my son is diggin on my atwood. may have to find something like that for him. right now he is more into flashlights then tools. to each his own right?

David Bowen · **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:00:18 PM

Well I have two girls, one seven and the other three. The oldest was giving a plastic victorinox from Grant a long time ago and she has since passed it down to her little sister. There are times when we are sitting on the couch and she will pop open my sheath and play with whatever tool I am carrying that day. Sometimes it freaks her mom out but I feel it's healthy for her to learn about them. She sees me with the everyday and is fascinated by the work we do here on multitool.org. I think one day she may have her own tool, it's only a matter of time in my opinion. I too may get her something like a swisstech or maybe something as simple as a shard.

Gareth · **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:18:43 PM

My daughter is also four and has a toy SAK but she's yet to get her own real multi, she seems more likely to get into torches ATM. That 6-in-1 looks to be a great choice though, not much chance of doing themselves any serious damage.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:54:16 PM

Quote from: David Bowen on November 06, 2009, 05:00:18 PM

Well I have two girls, one seven and the other three. The oldest was giving a plastic victorinox from Grant a long time ago and she has since passed it down to her little sister. There are times when we are sitting on the couch and she will pop open my sheath and play with whatever tool I am carrying that day. Sometimes it freaks her mom out but I feel it's healthy for her to learn about them. She sees me with the everyday and is fascinated by the work we do here on multitool.org. I think one day she may have her own tool, it's only a matter of time in my opinion. I too may get her something like a swisstech or maybe something as simple as a shard.

Seven and three? Holy crap.... seems like just yesterday you were taking the cellophane off the new one!

As for it being healthy for her to learn about things, it's probably better that she has a familiarity with tools, so when she gets to High School and the football player's car mysteriously "breaks down" on a dirt road, she can fix it and make it home in time for curfew!

Def