I also bend needles all the time. I have used Dritz, John James and a few others, sizes 7,8,9 and 10s. I also have the Aunt Becky tool and have tried using that, but just can not get use to the quilt being loose. I might try like someone above has mentioned and use it only as a under thimble. I have also tried using the quilter's helper which looks like a spoon and using that I break my needles. I just need more practice, practice with the Aunt Becky tool.