Thanks. Recently broke tip of my original bodkin. Was one of those with a 0.5mm 6-sided brass handles from a kit. Had a bead chain to a threader, but had separated long ago, but this lets it work as a half-hitch tool. Wanted something with a better handle, and liked the Stonfo design best for this (larger diameter, nice shape, light-weight, soft grip, roll reducer). Found a link on Stonfo's site (drawing), and ebay currently has a couple with decent photos:
http://www.stonfo.com/site/product/2...category_id=90
Many on-line shops sell them, but didn't see them on sponsors.

It did seem like the needle was fatter, but using hackle pliers for calipers, is almost identical to the old. Looks like ~1mm on a ruler.