I've not found it necessary to use a lot of force on the needles, but I use really thin ones for finely woven fabrics, medium ones at the thickest and always buy quality ones - cheap needles are often no good at all.

I also have a little tuft of fine wire wool to hand as twirling the point of a needle in that sharpens it. Fold the needle in the wire wool pinched between finger and thumb and rotate the needle slowly - heat is generated which can de-temper the needle. You can't keep sharpening some needles as only the outer layer is hardened and it is worn away, but it does lengthen the life of most needles.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: