I think it's personal preference. I tried a LOT of different needles - John James, Richard Hemming, Tulip. I have large hands and I really struggled with the smaller betweens and quilting needles. I fell in love with Primitive Gatherings binding needles, they are the BOMB. They glide through fabric like a hot knife through butter and I can actually hold on to them. I don't hand quilt or piece, but I do applique by hand and also sew bindings on by hand. I use the PG binding needles for all of it.