apparatus for protecting tool joints and injection or control tubing of production tubing strings employed in the production of oil and gas is disclosed , where the protector has a minimized running profile and includes two c - shaped clamping members designed to be forced onto a pipe string above and below a joint with sufficient holding force to allow protector assembly without the need to hold the ends in place during the assembly process . the protector also includes beveled leading and trailing edges to further minimize the likelihood that the protector will hang up during production string insertion and withdrawal .