I have a few Eaffengrows and although they say it's D2 steel, I seriously doubt that it is. I've done some compairisons and the Eaffengrows just seem a little off. Not that they aren't great blades, I just question the authenticity of the D2. On my Cold Steel fixed blades that I carry regularly, I replace the belt loop with the Cold Steel C-clips, usually the small ones. You can use them with or without a belt and not have to worry whether or not the sheath with stay put. They grip very well, even without a belt. I like the SRK for EDC, in combination with a large folder like the Recon 1 or Code 4, and a small fixed blade, sometimes a kneck knife, depending on the situation.
Their folders are d2, I am going to assume from my usage with the fixed blades that the under $40 are actually likely a 9cr. Their higher end DC53 blades are legitimately DC53 which is essentially non powder cruwear
I don't have any way of legitimizing the steel in my Eafengrow 121, but I have been using it to carve all of the useful notches into seasoned birch and other assorted branches that I have laying around the yard, when I'm not out in the woods. It holds and edge very well and carves notches well to. It's not the "perfect" edc for me, but it is a great little knife for general purpose use!
