I am not usually of the throw-it-away school, but I sure don't get why you wouldn't just toss an old needle. I have favorite kinds of needles, but never have developed an attachment to a specific needle.

Guess I just picked up the habit from my grannie. When we would visit her on Sundays, we would find her quilting away. I have her 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' quilt. I treasure it. :)

You can never get a bent needle to be perfectly straight after it has been bent. Needles are actually a very precisely made instrument and once it is damaged the best thing to do is replace it. You should buy new needles in the same size as your "favorite" and they will be exactly the same.

Needles only last so long before they need replacing anyway. So splurge on a new package.
peace