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Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle Configurations Explained | Tattoo Equipment Evolution Pt. 6
Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle Configurations Explained
The Tattoo Equipment Evolution series has traced the path of modern tattoo needles from their origins to today’s precision-driven tools. We’ve covered the foundations of needle types and groupings, explored how liners create crisp outlines, looked at round shaders for smooth shading, and examined magnums for bold fills and gradients. Along the way, we’ve also broken down how different tapers and needle gauges influence performance and results. Now we turn to curved magnum tattoo needles—the evolution that refined shading and blending even further.
Although they are the youngest needles in tattooing history, curved magnums have quickly become one of the most popular configurations on the market. Artists value them for their ability to create smooth blends and soft transitions while causing less trauma to the skin. Instead of being just another variant of magnums, they offer unique results that made them a staple in modern tattooing. In this article, we’ll explain how curved magnum tattoo needles differ from regular magnums and explore why they stand out.
How Do Curved Magnum Tattoo Needles Look and How Are They Manufactured?
The manufacturing process of curved magnum tattoo needle configurations is almost identical to that of regular magnums. The key difference is in the finish: instead of ending in a straight line, the needles are shaped into an arch. A mold ensures this curve stays consistent, especially in larger configurations with wider working widths. This round curvature not only defines their structure but also ensures less trauma for the skin.
In the early days, artists soldered magnum needles by hand. For example, they would lay 17 needles flat in a single row and secure the cut ends. Using a razor blade, they lifted every other needle to form two staggered rows, creating the familiar zigzag pattern. This gave each needle more space to hold ink. With the blade holding the gap, the artist soldered the needles together permanently.
That design allowed curved magnums — identically like magnums — to hold and deliver more ink in a single pass than round configurations. The result was smoother gradients, faster coverage on large areas, and deeper, more even saturation. Today, manufacturers complete this process with precision machinery, and artists buy the finished curved magnums ready to use.
Note: The configurations of REBEL Magnum needles are medium tapered.
What Are Curved Magnum Tattoo Needles For?
Curved magnum tattoo needles are built for smooth pigment blending between colors and shades. Their arched design makes transitions appear softer than with other configurations. Covering large areas quickly is another advantage of this configuration.
However, their design does have limitations:
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Lining is not possible with this setup.
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Tight corners remain out of reach.
As a result, curved magnums excel at shading but remain more specialized than regular magnums.
Uniqueness of the Curved Magnum
What sets curved magnum tattoo needles apart is their positioning. They keep the zigzag two-row structure of magnums but replace the flat edge with a gentle arch. This orientation mimics the Filbert paintbrush, creating softer, painterly effects.
The exact origin of curved magnums is unclear. Historians suggest a link to wooden stick ‘hand poke’ methods.
Visualize the structure by imagining an odd number of needles placed side by side, lifting every second one, and bending them into an arch before soldering. The bottom row should remain slightly shorter than the top row.
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Curved Magnums and Filberts
This arch design makes curved magnums ideal for new textures and smooth shading. Manufacturers usually build them with medium tapers, though long tapers appear occasionally. Thanks to their two-row shape and spacing, they hold more ink, improve flow, and allow faster coverage.
For example, black and gray artists often use curved magnums to achieve soft gradients.
In our Tattoo Needle Types article, we explained that tattoo needles are manufactured in three common gauges:
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.25mm – Fine (#8, Bugpin)
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.30mm – Normal (#10)
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.35mm – Fat (#12)
Note: All REBEL magnum needles use a medium taper.
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And remember — gauge and taper are not the same thing.
Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle Configurations
When made from #8 (.25mm) wire gauge, they are known as Bugpin Curved Magnums. Configurations typically start at 5 needles and may extend past 35 or 45, often called “shovels” because of their wide coverage. The sequence grows in odd steps: 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and so on.
Industry shorthand includes CM, CMG, or SEM (Soft Edge Magnum).
At REBEL, we add our own brand identifier: RTC (REBEL Tattoo Cartridge).
Example: REBEL Tattoo Cartridge – 27 Curved Magnum = RTC-27CM
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Working Width
The term working width refers to the actual width of a needle configuration—the surface area that touches the skin. With curved magnums, this depends on the arch structure combined with the pressure applied.
Because of this, REBEL designed its cartridge inventory around working width rather than taper type. This gives artists a more practical way to choose their tools.
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All REBEL curved magnums are medium tapered and built with .30mm needles.
Gauge, Width, and Overlap
Different gauges can create overlapping working widths. For example, a 15 curved magnum from #8 (.25mm) needles is almost identical in working width to a 13 curved magnum from #10 (.30mm). Likewise, an 11 curved magnum from #12 (.35mm) produces nearly the same coverage.
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Therefore, working width—not just configuration count—offers the clearest picture of performance.
Chart Analysis
The chart below highlights how curved magnums overlap in size across gauges:
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From this, four main working width ranges appear across the three gauges:
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3.25–3.40mm
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3.80–4.00mm
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4.55–4.80mm
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5.20–5.35mm
Some widths are available in multiple gauges, while others exist only in one. This overlap shows why working width is a more reliable guide than needle count alone.
The REBEL Curved Magnum Inventory
The REBEL Curved Magnum line covers the full range of working widths found on the market today. As a result, artists gain the flexibility to choose the exact configuration that matches their shading style and technical demands.
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If you’d like to explore more insights from inside the industry, stay tuned to The Rebellion Reads.
— Caesar The Hun
I can always rely on rebel tattoo machine “ Caesar” to give the most information on the products that he introduces to our industry. This is a breath of fresh air having an artist owned company that not only delivers the best products but also uses them. My favorites curved mag is the 27. Excellent saturation and smooth blending in both black and grey and color. Thank you again Caesar.