Wi-fi is a very tricky technology to implement in a form that can be used by consumers.Wi-fi antennas in particular are tricky beasts, and a lot of routers depend on their not being put on electrically conductive surfaces in order to function. It doesn't surprise me a bit that taping a needle to the bottom of some routers would disrupt the antenna.

I have a knife underneath my laptop, but I live alone and the closest router (which I don't have access to) is about 10 feet away.

John Roth