Holice, I tried John James needles once and didn't have the control I wanted. But I still have them - I'll have another go at it. I didn't realize Piecemaker needles were Japanese. I thought they were American for some reason, though I know we don't manufacture much of anything here any more. *sigh* A conversation for another place, that.
But I think you're quite right - each of us is different and it's a matter of whatever needle works best in our own hand.