i've been using serger thread for a long time- for piecing, hand sewing, quilting---
i do not get tons of lint- in fact in many cases-i've switched to it because the (other thread) is too linty.
it is strong- and comes in hundreds of colors-
we use *maxilock*
my mother bought up a stores supply 25 years ago when they were going out of business- in SanDiego-
she brought something like 10,000 cones of thread home to Michigan with her-
i don't use it exclusively- i use many many different threads- but i have never had any problems with the serger threads.
they are a thinner(60wt) but i tend to like finer threads so that appeals to me-
i've made a few hundred quilts in the past 10-15 years or so---none have ever fallen apart because i used serger thread.
if the needle you are using is not the correct size for the thread you are using it will cause extra lint- because the needle eye is shaving the thread as it passes through- thats one reason for extra lint- but i have horrible lint from quilt shop-cotton threads---never serger (maxilock) thread.