I also love hickory and making tables. Few pieces of furniture are used or appreciated as much. Yours looks lovely, the drawer handle is my only reservation. A hickory drawer pull would match far better.
Getting blades sharpened is a huge saving but you have to buy better saw blades with enough carbide that can be sharpened. My favourite table saw blade has been sharpened 4 times, apparently I have one sharpening left.
Hand planes have the huge benefit of on the spot sharpening and work very well.