What happens when the climb is the easiest on the crag and right next to the road...

Looks like my belay Krab

Read an article about this recently, it doesent affect the strength much at all (Well unless theres only a slither left). The groove traps the rope stopping it moving towards the gate, this reduces the forces on the nose and gate itself which are the normal cause of failier.

Not a great photo, the gouge is a bit deeper but I see where everyone is coming from.

Take a look at my photo gallery. I've got a couple of similar photos. I had two of the krabs pull tested and intend to have a little competition for folks to guess how they held up... soon.

I've just seen this- I left one like that in-situ in 2000! The groove was caused by using it on the single stand of wire rope across the river; I swopped it for a good one on the belay on the F5+