I use both 10's and 11's Richard Hemming & Son needles.
I find 12's bend on about the third threading for me.

I use short needles (11 or 12) because I have short little fingers. It hurts my hand to use bigger ones because my fingers spread too far apart when using them.

I've found that if I keep my quilt very loose in the hoop, I get smaller stitches and fewer bent or broken needles.

10 or 12 and eventually they all bend.
I have sometimes 6 needle going at once,
so I can carry on the next time I roll the quilt.
J J

Size 10. I find I am more comfortable with that size needle.

I use a size 8 or 9, anything smaller and I break it because of the way I hand quilt.