My favorite hand quilting needle is the Hiroshima Tulip between needle. They never bend and are very sharp. They are more expensive, but because of the quality and hand done manufacturing process, they last a long time. I have just passed the halfway point on my current quilt and am still using the same needle. In the beginning, I Could only get these needles on Amazon, but now my local quilt store is carrying them. I have tried every other needle out there and the Hiroshima Tulip is the very best--no comparison. Because the eye is hand done and not stamped, there are no sharp edges, so the thread does not shred or fray. They are also easier to thread. I can't sing the praises of this needle for hand quilting enough.