"Jay Honeck" wrote

We replaced our prop adjustment cable in the Pathfinder this year. It was
probably the original cable from 1974. It was getting stiffer and stiffer
over time.

Upon removal it was obvious that a few strands of the sheathing had
broken, and were scraping on the cable every time we moved the blue lever.
How this happened is a mystery, but after 25 years we figured it didn't
owe us anything. (Although it is a real SOB to change...)

Yep. Some things will not last forever, and cables are one of them. Once
they get enough age and use and age on them, switch them out, as part of a
good preventative maintenance program. After all, what good is keeping fuel
in the tank, airspeed under the wings, and a good running engine and
airframe, if you can't control the damn thing! g That is one important
piece of twisted up steel, going from your hand to the engine and prop.

The OP did a great job getting the plane down safely.

No argument from me on that point!
--
Jim in NC