A wave gripping core sleeve comprising: a plurality of interlocking members (22, 24, 26, 28), each interlocking member having a curved body, a first end and a second end with a groove (37, 38) disposed adjacent at least one of the first and second ends thereof, a first longitudinal side wall defined by a laterally projecting wing extending between the first and second ends and a second longitudinal side wall opposite the first longitudinal side wall and defined by a receptacle extending longitudinally between the first end and second end, where said interlocking members (22, 24, 26, 28) are disposed adjacent one another and form a substantially right circular sleeve having a main cavity for receiving a conductor steel core, the second longitudinal side wall of a first interlocking member being engaged with the first longitudinal side wall of a second interlocking member adjacent the first interlocking member such that said projecting wing of said second interlocking member is directly received by said receptacle of said first interlocking member, the second longitudinal side wall of the second interlocking member being engaged with the first longitudinal side wall of a third interlocking member adjacent the second interlocking member such that said projecting wing of said third interlocking member is directly received by said receptacle of said second interlocking member, engagements between said projecting wings and receptacles of said interlocking members allowing for radial movement therebetween with respect to the main cavity while a first end and a second end of each projecting wing abut a first end and a second end of each corresponding receptacle restricting relative axial movement between the interlocking members to maintain axial alignment therebetween; and at least one resilient member (40, 41) wrapped around the plurality of interlocking members and received in the grooves thereof. a plurality of interlocking members (22, 24, 26, 28), each interlocking member having a curved body, a first end and a second end with a groove (37, 38) disposed adjacent at least one of the first and second ends thereof, a first longitudinal side wall defined by a laterally projecting wing extending between the first and second ends and a second longitudinal side wall opposite the first longitudinal side wall and defined by a receptacle extending longitudinally between the first end and second end, where said interlocking members (22, 24, 26, 28) are disposed adjacent one another and form a substantially right circular sleeve having a main cavity for receiving a conductor steel core, the second longitudinal side wall of a first interlocking member being engaged with the first longitudinal side wall of a second interlocking member adjacent the first interlocking member such that said projecting wing of said second interlocking member is directly received by said receptacle of said first interlocking member, the second longitudinal side wall of the second interlocking member being engaged with the first longitudinal side wall of a third interlocking member adjacent the second interlocking member such that said projecting wing of said third interlocking member is directly received by said receptacle of said second interlocking member, engagements between said projecting wings and receptacles of said interlocking members allowing for radial movement therebetween with respect to the main cavity while a first end and a second end of each projecting wing abut a first end and a second end of each corresponding receptacle restricting relative axial movement between the interlocking members to maintain axial alignment therebetween; and at least one resilient member (40, 41) wrapped around the plurality of interlocking members and received in the grooves thereof.