This has been very interesting conversation about the value of a good, straight needle.
When I first bought my combo (embroidery/sewing) machine, I was advised to buy Titanium needles for doing embroidery. Best advice I ever got. They just don't get dull. Forget that bit about changing every 8 hours. I wait until I hear the pop. But...it doesn't save me when the needle accidently hits either my sewing foot or the single needle plate I forgot to change out. That's about the only time I have to change the needle. Most of the time, it doesn't bend it, it pops the end off. You'd think I would learn after all this time.