A plow blade wear member having a slower wear rate than known blade wear members, and having a reduced tendency to partially break off, fracture, chip, or become otherwise damaged when the blade wear member engages a discontinuity in a travel surface. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the blade wear member is formed or cut from a used airplane tire. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the blade wear member is formed or cut from a used fiber reinforced airplane tire having a relatively large outer circumference to provide the desired radius of curvature, the desired thickness, and the desired strength for the blade wear member.