Thanks for the suggestion. More versatile in some respects, but not in others, IMHO. Lot harder to use if you have to force it though very heavy material, especially with knit gloves on or weak hands due to cold or injury or finesse it through some fine material or use it to pick out a splinter, etc. They make some jobs easier, others more difficult. For the relatively simple things you would typically use one for to make expedient repairs, straight is likely easier for most people. In fact, I dare say most would look at a curved needle and be baffled. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I don't think they really make a viable fish hook and we include four of those in any case. They also cost quite a bit more. I think the straight needle is the best compromise, and everything in a kit this small is a compromise to one degree or another.