The Expedition Tools HK1 Hydrokinetic Adjustable Wrench is a rather intriguing tool that has recently caught our attention. Normally we’re quite wary of unconventional tools, especially those claiming to be “all-in-0ne” solutions, but it looks like the Hydrokinetic Wrench deserves a closer look.
The first thing that we noticed is that the HK1 contacts nuts and fasteners on three flats, which should result in a very strong and secure grip. Then, we noticed that there are no discrete fastener-size settings, meaning that the HK1 can adjust quickly for any size fastener.
Advertisement
So how does it work? Simply position the appropriately sized wrench end around a fastener, open the central valve, slide the piston towards the fastener from the opposite slide, close the valve, and you’re ready to go.
Inside the wrench is an incompressible fluid that allows the piston to securely hold nuts and fasteners against the wrench’s flats. If it helps, you can think of the valve as a figurative set screw that locks the wrench’s pistons in place once adjusted against a fastener.
The good: the HK1 is compact, covers a wide range of SAE and metric sizes, and can be used against damaged or partially rounded fasteners.
The bad: we’d love to see HK1s in stores so that people (including ourselves) can check them out before purchasing. That, and we’d love to see this adjustable wrench take market share away from the more gimmicky less-performing tools of its genre.
The HK1 Hydrokinetic Wrench is priced at an even $25, about $5 dollars less than the best-selling (and possibly less capable) Black&Decker ReadyWrench.
HK1 Hydrokinetic Wrench (Amazon)
Advertisement
Edit: The price has dropped down to $21.50.
uthscsaedu
I have something similar to that, but it just uses a screw that you turn. The head is very big, so most of the time it doesn’t fit where you need it to.
It looks like this, but it’s not Nashbar brand:
Sort of related – Sears has the Bionic wrench on display locally. Apparently it’s still made in the USA.
I guess it’s out in time for the holidays.
Stuart
That Nashbar version does look similar, but I imagine that it’s not as quick or easy to adjust.
Unrelated, I still won’t shop at Nashbar since their negligence led to my credit card and personal contact information to be stolen. What’s worse is that they didn’t even contact me about the breach until many weeks later when myself and my crdit card company were still scratching our heads trying to figure out what had happened!
SharkBreath
Another tool from the wife this past summer.
The control valve is hard to turn if you have big hands, plus moving the piston from side to side is a pain. As mentioned the ends are big and make it tough to fit in small areas.
It’s well built and quiet heavy. But there are better multi-wrenches out there. I purchased a Craftsman Dogbone that I feel is easier to use and more adapt at fitting in tight areas.
uthscsaedu
Sorry about the Nashbar link. I’ve never shopped there. I found it when I googled “universal wrench.”
This hydrokinetic wrench is definitely something I would have to mess with in person. I would like to see how this piston things works. It sounds kind of hydraulic.
Stuart
@SharkBreath – thanks for telling us about your experiences with the tool. By any chance do you recall where the tool was manufactured?
@Uthscaedu, that’s okay, I did like ordering from Nashbar, but currently hold a grudge for the aforementioned reason. Maybe one day I’ll give them a second chance, but for the time being there are plenty of alternative biking gear retailers for me to choose from.
So your universal wrench is too big for certain applications? Are there any other major faults to it?
SharkBreath
I checked the wrench and there is no marking to indicate where t is made. The company, Expedition Tools, is out of Canada: http://www.expeditiontools.com/
uthscsaedu
The biggest hassle with this type of wrench, aside from having a large head, is the lack of “ratcheting” ability.
This isn’t a fault necessarily – a wrench that claims to be universal can’t do everything well.
It’s handy to have around when you have nothing else, but of course you wouldn’t want to use it daily – it would take too long.
The one I have (again, not the hydrokinetic wrench) has a set screw to engage the fastener. Once you have turned the fastener, you have to loosen the set screw, reposition it, then tighten it again. It doesn’t come off of the fastener easily for 2 reasons 1) the screw has a textured face to grip the fastener 2) there is play in the screw shaft which causes binding when attempting to lift the wrench off of the nut.
ImportTuner
Looks like a great tool but I’m not sure it’s worth $25; would probably try it out if it was like $10/
uthscsaedu
hey ImportTuner that’s interesting that you say that. My first impression about the price is that it is underpriced, while the B&D ReadyWrench is overpriced. The ReadyWrench doesn’t seem as innovative as this hydrokinetic wrench, and you can get a dogbone under a different brand for like $15.
I haven’t seen a hydrokinetic wrench in person, but based on the description, it sounds like this piston mechanism is more sophisticated, and so I was expecting it to cost more.
Again, it’s something I would want to see in person before making a better judgment about the quality or price.
Stuart
I think that $25 seems appropriate, but it would definitely be more appealing at $20. The device does not seem too mechanically complicated either.
As for the ReadyWrench, the price does seem a bit too high. Just because it has twice the number of compatible sizes compared to a standard dog-bone style wrench does not mean it should cost twice as much. Ultimately consumers and their wallets have the final say, and it looks like they’re saying that its price is acceptable.
uthscsaedu
The price on this hydrokinetic wrench is down to $21.50 on Amazon (Jan 3, 2010 at noon central time). There are now 8 very good reviews too!