Well, the one that we sent Sal as a starting point prototype did not have a fire steel loop. This was something that was discussed and it was decided that on ballance it was more trouble than it was worth. I don't know what Spyderco's take on our sheath design will be, but I put together something that was ambidexterous with three or four carry options. In that case the inclusion of a fire steel loop made the sheath too wide and more complicated than wanted for something to be produced in quantity.
I have seen one too many fire steel react to chemicals in leather and either just corrode away at a fearful rate, or in a couple of cases, to actually make a mongy mess of the leather itself. Even in a Kydex loop, if the sheath gets wet regularly, a fire steel can disappear within a couple of months.
The conclusion that was reached, for this project, was that while some people like the loops, others don't, and if keeping the means to make fire on you at all times was the goal, it was just as ably served by having a mini tinder kit in your trouser pocket.
