The old man and the boys at the boat yard could sharpen bits by eye, they probably learned using flint.
They could also sharpen a bow saw by hand, cut a field with a scythe and a variety of other things. Good salt of the earth stuff.
I suspect they would have used a Drill Doctor if available tho. That would have left time for other matters, although with 17 kids, that was probably enough time spent at one particular activity.
