BT,I buy new every spring & fall buddy!!!You hit it on the head.I have found no fool proof absolute way of stopping completely the wear and tear on these fragile calls.Even on a days hunt over a lengthy period of time in your mouth they tend to change tone,so consequently I carry alot more than one of my favorite calls to the woods.Before season rings in I will have at least 8 or so diaghragms broke in ready to go,and will be breaking in calls through the major part of the season.I agree with strut there relatively cheap compared to most of the calls on the retail market and besides that you never really no when exactly that call will break down and if its in the woods it can be a frusterating situation..(I have had a few of those moments where I stomped,thrown,bit,twisted,and crushed a few calls in the past because of it[:@]).I dont preserve here I replace!!!Its a good system that works for me!!