I have tried John James and they were ok. I also tried Richard Hemming and the eye was just too tiny and once I got it threaded it bent really fast. My most favorite hand quilting needle are Roxanne needles. Her size 11 is the same as a Richard Hemming 12 and the eye is the largest on the market. They are also nice and sharp and very durable. A Roxanne needle lasts a long time before I bend it. I use the #11 size but will probably order 12 the next time I order. I also really like that they are packaged in a glass tube, 50 to a tube so they last a long time and are nicely protected.