Abstract: A can crusher having a plural stage and incremental crushing action which includes a frame with a buttress at one end and plural fulcrum stanchions at the other end. A handle carrying a pivot pin selectively locatable in fulcrum portions of the stanchion is provided and the handle is pivotally linked to a piston for reciprocal extension and retraction in the frame toward and away from the buttress. The primary crushing impact of the piston with a can resting on the buttress in the frame is askew so that the first deformation of the can is not an axial deforming force and the final increment of crushing movement approaches axial thrust.