Can't you sharpen pins and needles in one of those special pin cushion things with the metal powder/shavngs in it?
I have finally learned to throw out machine needles, frequently!
But hand needles have never thrown out, just lose them somewhere. Stuck in an old spool of thread or the bottom of a little what-not dish.
Pins! I hate bent pins (oooh I NEVER let them get under the machine needle when sewing hehehe! oops!) But recently I noticed those long stiff flat-plastic-flower-tip expensive ones I had to buy at the LQC for that Judy Neimier class have done discolored in places, look tarnished.
Mats - I accidently warped my favorite - got too close to iron.
Good topic - no one can make good progress with worn-out equipment!