My sailmakers needle is either a size 12 or 14, 7cm long. My calender is 17.5 cm long so I could make this needle just about any size. I chose this size for its usefulness in sewing the heavyweight clothes I normally wear (Filson's). The three sided point is much easier to sew with than a round needle.<br><br>I do not see this needle as being very useful for prying. I have much larger needles in my repair kit, (size 8 it think, about 10 cm and at least twice the diameter) but not sure it would pry much. It would certainly work adequately as a slim marlin spike, great as an awl and burnisher.