For those of us who enjoy using (or in some cases can only use) vintage needles, and don't love the idea of tossing them when they dull, there are ways to hone or even sharpen dulled needles.
Alex Askaroff has a video about it and also mentions some history (professional sewists back in the day having to purchase their own needles from their salary):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPtfwSjft84
I prefer these honing stones from Spyderco that have a groove along their length -- I tend to hone a needle before every project now, even if it's new.