I use Roxanne needles for hand sewing. I buy them on line from the Colonial Needle Co., but I believe some other vendors carry them, too. I think I'm using an applique needle for binding; I believe they're a bit longer than the sharps. I'm sold on Roxanne needles because I began hand quilting using whatever needles I had on hand, and when I got the Roxannes, it was so much easier!
As for threading, check out the technique about 30 seconds into this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_EjBGz5vGQ
I haven't had any trouble threading needles since I saw that. I think the Roxanne needles do have small eyes, but she also makes an excellent threader, if you have trouble threading. The higher the needle number, the shorter the needle.