Which blackberries - Reuben, Helen, Loch Ness, Oregon or Waldo?

[Sylvan]

I'm trying to choose a replacement for a blackberry plant that failed miserably.
The available varieties are Reuben, Helen, Loch Ness, Oregon, Thornfree or Waldo.
Has anyone any experience of them please?

I already have Ashford Cross, Bedford Giant, Loganberry, Tayberry, Boysenberry, 2 varieties of Autumn Raspberry and Japanese Wineberries.

I was looking at Helen because it's supposed to be early, but will maybe have sufficient fruit at that time anyway?

Reuben has wonderful reviews from the suppliers but I've been reading old posts here and the consensus here seems to be that they're not worth it. Is that still your opinion?

Waldo is supposed to have brittle stems so would it be happy on my exposed hillside?
I've read reviews that said Loch Ness are tasteless and Oregon Thornless isn't very productive.

[Alison]

I don't know what variety mine is as it was a cutting from a family member but I wouldn't recommend the thornless ones, everybody I know that has had one has told me that they've not been impressed and the yields appear lower than the good old fashioned varieties.

[Sylvan]

Thanks Alison.
The problem is that, with the exception of "Reuben" and the two I already have, all the varieties they have available are thornless, so I may have to make the best of a bad job.