I used to have problems with my needles bending (and breaking!) but I switched to Roxanne needles. I use a size 11 between. Takes a good long time before I bend one but I typically have about 6 threaded at a time so as one runs out of thread I grab the next one. Maybe the constant switching between 6 needles is keeping me from bending them? I love the Roxanne needles they are nice and sharp and seem to last a long time but they are a B***h to thread! Luckily my quilting light has a magnifier attachment.