New (2007) Spyderco Spyderench

supratentorial

supratentorial

Joined
Dec 19, 2006
Messages
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The new Spyderench is finally available though its currently not listed on the Spyderco website.

It's been a long wait. Spyderco had said they were updating the tool back in 2004. The original Spyderench was discontinued in 2003.

A few months ago, the first of the new Spyderenchs were shipped out by accident (reference: http://spyderco.com/forums/showpost.php?p=247519&postcount=11) but now several stores are listing them as in stock. The best price I could find is around $85--not much more than the Byrdrench.

The original Spyderench was manufactured in the US but the new Spyderench is made in Taiwan. The Byrdrench is made in China. The new Spyderench looks quite similar to the Byrdench and the old Spyderench. Aside from cosmetic differences, the most noticeable differences between the new Spyderench and the Byrdrench are that the Spyderench features an AUS8 blade and a diamond file.

I ordered one this morning and already have the tracking info. If there's sufficient interest, I'll post some photos when I receive it.

For the time being, here are some images I borrowed from an Ebay auction:
spyde1.jpg

spyde2.jpg

spyde3.jpg

spyde4.jpg
 
Interesting, I guess that's how a local shop managed to get one a bit ago...
 
mnblade said:
Does that seem really odd to anyone else? :confused:
Click to expand...

IIRC, there was some discussion on the Spyderco forum a while back about how even with the cost savings associated with Chinese factories, Spyderco wasn't able to design a "cheap" Byrdwrench that met their quality expectations... No doubt because it requires the machining equipment and knowledge of cutlery manufacturing and tool manufacturing in one...

So, at least in the near term, a truly "cheap" (in price) Byrdwrench or Spyderench is unlikely.

I love Spyderco but I personally don't like this design, at least not enough to leave my Swisstool...
 
Got the SpydeRench today. Curiously, the sheath comes separately rather than in the box. I opened the box and fiddled with the SpydeRench a bit. Unfortunately the plain edge portion of the blade has a nick in it. :( :( :( The box was sealed with stickers on both ends so I know it wasn't a demo knife.
 
Although it is a little disappointing that it wasn't perfect out of the box, I haven't decided if the nick warrants returning the SpydeRench. The blade nick isn't very big and I'll probably nick the blade up with use. It does make me wonder how well the edge will hold up with use but it is my (uneducated) understanding that AUS-8 is excellent steel. Perhaps the durability of the edge has more to do with the grind?? The nick is located where there is a ridge in the "liner" and the nick was most likely caused by blade hitting the side of this ridge during assembly--not exactly heavy abuse.

This brings up another issue. The blade has some wobble especially near the closed position. This wobble will allow the blade to hit the side of the "liner" if you don't close the blade carefully. Undoubtedly, that's how the blade was nicked. I know that I didn’t nick the blade since I noticed it when I first opened the blade, before I ever closed the blade. I'm going to write Spyderco about the blade wobble.

I also noticed that the Phillips/Punch/File does not fit in the bit holder. The Phillips on the end of the file isn't very practical without a handle to provide additional leverage. Of course, the included Phillips bits will be sufficient for most tasks but the long Phillips on the end of the file would be useful for deeply recessed screws.

Another problem that I noticed is the spring that holds the file tends to pop out when removing the file.

After doing some comparison with the photos of the ByrdRench, I don't think there is much difference between the ByrdRench and the SpydeRench other than the differences that I previously noted. Unless the diamond file or the AUS-8 blade steel is a big selling point for you, you might go with the ByrdRench instead.

In general, I would say that the SpydeRench is more toy than tool. I suspected the same thing about the CRKT Guppie and avoided it for that reason. My guess is that the construction of the SpydeRench is much better than the CRKT Guppie but it's just a guess. The SpydeRench is a fascinating design but I think the new, improved SpydeRench could use additional improvement.

After I figure out whether I need to send the SpydeRench for repair, I plan on carrying it and then writing a full review.
 
WOW I can't wait to get one of those skeletools, it's actually got the features that I USE. I use the knife and screwdriver all the time, and occasionally even the pliers and wirecutters. But I've never really used the can-opener, bottle-opener, files, woodsaws, scissors, etc. IF it is thin and light enough I think it may actually have a chance at replacing my delica we'll have to wait and see.
 
Here's a photo showing the problem with the SpydeRench.

spyderench-wobble.jpg


Today, I received a replacement from Spyderco. The replacement has far less blade wobble but there's still a bit of play--mostly near the closed position. The replacement doesn't hit the "liner". I had a chance to use the SpydeRench a little bit before I sent it back to Spyderco (haven't used the replacement yet). The wrench worked well (replaced a car battery) and the knife is scary sharp. The magnetic bit driver works ok but it lacks reach. The magnet holds the bit in place but isn't strong enough to keep a screw from falling to the ground. The round nose slip joint pliers are neat but they lack leverage. The sheath isn't the best but I prefer using the pocket clip anyway. I probably won't have a chance to write a full review for quite a while since I've injured my shoulder and will have surgery in September. ...stay tuned... :P
 
Wow, that picture demonstrating the problem is... wow. No wonder the blade had a nick in it!

Thanks for the info, I've got a Byrdrench coming in for a customer, so I'll be sure to take a close look at it for stuff like this. :)
 
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