I have had needles break on me too, and it is really a pain! I have used John James, Dritz (which I hate), DMC, Piecemakers, and Clover gold eye. I find most will bend eventually, if not break, so I just change them. I always buy at Joann's when quilting notions are 50% off and stock up. I think I like John James best and Clover gold eye needles (I have size 10's) bend the easiest. They aren't that much considering you get about 20 or so in a package, so if I go thru a few each quilt, I'm not bothered.