Abstract: A stranded product is formed from a central wire and a plurality of wires helically wound around the central wire, wherein each of the wires helically wound around the central wire has a small longitudinal groove which increases the area of contact between each of the outer wires and the core wire, thus significantly reducing the internal contact stresses within the strand to extend the fatigue life of the strand without significantly reducing the bending flexibility of the strand. A plurality of stranded products in accordance with the invention can be employed in a conventional manner to form ropes, cables and the like, having an extended service life.