So now a little bit more answering. Lovely post! And lovely needles. Hiya Hiya and Ciaogoo are not very common here (but a growing number of shops start to stock them) so I have not tried them out. I am very curios to test the Chiaogoo with their self-swivelling joint. Very common are the needles from Knitpro (which I think is the same as Knitters Pride, because the needles look identical). I tested the multicoloured Knitpro wooden needles and they are too pointy for me and I learned that I do not like wooden needles at all, although they look so gorgeous. I knit much slower with them and I have the impression it is more tiring for me. I also tested the wooden square needles from Knitpro (named quattro). Again, I wanted to like them, but the edges press very uncomfortably into my hands. Some say these square needles even out the knitting, but I could not see a difference (@cryptocariad maybe this helps?)
Today the Addi click lace needles (long) are my favourites. I like their long-tapered tip and that they are not too sharp or blunt. I also like the ultra-smooth surface. Another pro is, they are made in Germany not in India like the Knitpro and you get a very good service if something is not ok with the needles.
As you see....I love needles, thank you for the lovely post.