Japanese thimbles are out for me, I use more of the tip of my finger. I don't like the feel of the plastic/rubber thimbles. Leather worked well until the eye end of my needle punched through the leather into my finger. Have always used the full metal thimbles but was gifted one of the Clover open metal ones, they are designed for people with long nails, So far I really like it. Not as hot on my finger, and no needles running up under my nail.