It's being called "new" because it's the new Taiwan made model. Originally they were made in the US, then discontinued, then re-released as a China Made ByrdRench, and now again as a Taiwan made Spyderco model.
Essentially it's the same as the original, it's just taken a boat ride to the US instead of being made here. What will be interesting to note is whether or not the Taiwan made model is 1mm thicker than the original like the Byrd made model is.
Def