Abstract: An improved fluid flow control valve of the type wherein a spool is slidable within a sleeve cavity provided in the valve body. Primary fluid passageways through the body access the sleeve cavity at main orifices which form metering surfaces with lands on the spool. The improvement comprises secondary fluid passageways which carry parallel flow with the primary passageways. The secondary passageways access the sleeve cavity at sacrificial orifices which form sacrificial metering surfaces with the spool lands. The sacrificial metering surfaces carry all of the flow through the valve at the valve neutral position thus reducing flow erosion at the main metering surfaces. Valve leakage is limited to a small value determined by the total flow capacity of the secondary passages.