Abstract: A wear-resistant sheath for a cylindrical drill string component, includes a cylindrical fiber-reinforced matrix snugly embracing the drill string component. Embedded in the sheath is a spaced array of hard substantially cylindrical pins, each of which has a body having an opposed pair of ends. The pins are disposed substantially radially of the sheath, with one end of each pin disposed substantially at the outer surface of the sheath, the other end being preferably disposed in contact with the component and embedded therein to lock the sheath to the component.