In Stardew Valley, upgrading your tools is an essential part of progressing through the game, and your axe is one of the most important tools to enhance early on. An upgraded axe allows you to clear your farm more efficiently, access new areas, and obtain valuable resources like hardwood. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about upgrading your axe in Stardew Valley, from the requirements for each tier to the best strategies for gathering materials.
Understanding Axe Upgrades and Their Benefits
Your starting axe in Stardew Valley is functional but limited. With each upgrade, your axe becomes more powerful, allowing you to chop trees faster and access previously inaccessible areas. Here’s a quick overview of what each axe upgrade offers:
Basic Axe Capabilities
The standard axe you start with can:
- Cut down trees (requires 10 hits)
- Chop small stumps (requires 5 hits)
- Break branches
- Harvest giant crops
However, it cannot break large stumps or logs that block certain areas of the game.
Upgrade Progression and Benefits
Each axe upgrade significantly improves its performance:
| Upgrade Level | Material | Hits to Chop Tree | Hits to Chop Stump | Special Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Axe | N/A | 10 | 5 | Basic chopping only |
| Copper Axe | Copper | 8 | 4 | Can break large stumps for hardwood |
| Steel Axe | Iron | 6 | 3 | Can break large logs; Access to Secret Woods |
| Gold Axe | Gold | 4 | 2 | Faster chopping |
| Iridium Axe | Iridium | 2 | 1 | Maximum efficiency |
The most significant milestones in axe progression are:
- Copper Axe: Allows you to break large stumps, giving access to hardwood
- Steel Axe: Lets you break large logs, particularly the one blocking the Secret Woods, which is a daily source of hardwood
- Iridium Axe: Makes wood gathering extremely efficient with minimal energy usage
Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading Your Axe
Upgrading your axe in Stardew Valley involves a specific process that requires resources and interaction with Clint, the town blacksmith. Here’s how to do it:
1. Understanding the Upgrade Requirements
Each axe upgrade level requires specific materials and gold:
| Upgrade Level | Materials Required | Gold Cost | Total Ore Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Axe | 5 Copper Bars | 2,000g | 25 Copper Ore + 5 Coal |
| Steel Axe | 5 Iron Bars | 5,000g | 25 Iron Ore + 5 Coal |
| Gold Axe | 5 Gold Bars | 10,000g | 25 Gold Ore + 5 Coal |
| Iridium Axe | 5 Iridium Bars | 25,000g | 25 Iridium Ore + 5 Coal |
Important notes:
- Upgrades must be done in sequence (you can’t skip from basic to gold)
- Each upgrade takes 2 days to complete
- You cannot use your axe while it’s being upgraded
2. Obtaining the Required Materials
Mining for Ore
The primary way to obtain the necessary ores is through mining:
Copper Ore:
- Found on floors 1-39 of the mines
- Most abundant around floors 15-29
- Can also be found in geodes
Iron Ore:
- Found on floors 40-79 of the mines
- Most abundant around floors 50-69
- Can also be found in geodes and fishing treasure chests
Gold Ore:
- Found on floors 80-119 of the mines
- Most abundant at the deepest mine levels (100-119)
- Can also be found in magma geodes
Iridium Ore:
- Rarely found in the regular mines
- Most commonly found in Skull Cavern (deeper levels yield more)
- Can be found in Omni Geodes and Magma Geodes
- Occasionally found in fishing treasure chests
- Meteorites that land on your farm contain iridium ore
Obtaining Coal
Coal is required to smelt ores into bars. You can get coal by:
- Mining coal nodes in the mines
- Killing Dust Sprites (levels 40-79)
- Processing wood in a charcoal kiln (10 wood = 1 coal)
- Purchasing from Clint for 150-250g each
3. Creating Metal Bars
Once you have the required ores and coal, you need to smelt them into bars:
- Build a furnace (requires 20 copper ore, 25 stone, and 1 coal)
- Place the furnace on your farm or in a mine
- Add the appropriate ore and coal to create bars:
- 5 copper ore + 1 coal = 1 copper bar
- 5 iron ore + 1 coal = 1 iron bar
- 5 gold ore + 1 coal = 1 gold bar
- 5 iridium ore + 1 coal = 1 iridium bar
You’ll need 5 bars of each type for their respective axe upgrades.
4. Visiting the Blacksmith
Once you have the required bars and gold, follow these steps:
- Take your current axe to Clint’s Blacksmith in town (east of Pierre’s shop, across the river)
- The shop is open from 9AM to 4PM every day except Fridays (when he’s at the boiler room) and festival days
- Select “Upgrade Tools” from Clint’s menu
- Choose your axe from the list of upgradable tools
- Confirm the upgrade (this requires you to have the necessary bars and gold)
- Wait 2 days for the upgrade to complete
- Return to Clint after receiving a notification to collect your upgraded axe
5. Timing Your Upgrades
Since you’ll be without your axe for two days, consider these strategic times for upgrades:
- Early game: Upgrade when you don’t need to clear much wood
- Mid-game: Consider upgrading during rainy days or when focused on mining/fishing
- Late game: Upgrade during winter when there’s less farm work
Accessing the Secret Woods with the Steel Axe
One of the most important milestones for axe upgrades is obtaining the Steel Axe, which allows you to access the Secret Woods.
Location and Access
The Secret Woods is located in the northwest corner of Cindersap Forest (the area west of your farm). A large log blocks the entrance, which can only be broken with a Steel Axe or better.
Benefits of the Secret Woods
The Secret Woods provides valuable resources:
- Six large stumps that regenerate daily, providing 12 hardwood per day
- Seasonal forageable items
- Fiddlehead Ferns in summer (needed for the Chef’s Bundle)
- Woodskip fish (needed for the Specialty Fish Bundle)
- Slimes that can drop Mahogany Seeds
Alternative Early Access Method
There is a trick to access the Secret Woods without a Steel Axe:
- Craft a chair or purchase one from Robin
- Stand directly below the log
- Place the chair on the other side of the log
- Sit on the chair
- When you stand up, you’ll be on the other side
While this works for early access, you’ll still want to eventually upgrade to a Steel Axe for regular use.
Enhancing Your Axe with Enchantments
Once you’ve reached the Iridium level and accessed Ginger Island in the 1.5 update, you can further improve your axe with enchantments at the Volcano Forge.
Available Axe Enchantments
There are several possible enchantments for your axe, each with unique benefits:
| Enchantment | Effect |
|---|---|
| Efficient | Removes all energy cost when using the axe |
| Powerful | Adds 2 extra power levels to the axe (allows breaking hardwood stumps/logs at lower upgrade tiers) |
| Shaving | Grants 3 extra wood from trees and gives a chance for extra hardwood from stumps |
| Swift | Makes axe swings significantly faster |
How to Apply Enchantments
To enchant your axe:
- Reach the Volcano Dungeon on Ginger Island
- Bring your axe to the Volcano Forge
- Use 20 Cinder Shards and a Prismatic Shard
- The enchantment will be randomly assigned
- If you want a different enchantment, you can re-roll by using another Prismatic Shard and 20 Cinder Shards
Best Enchantment for Your Axe
While all enchantments have their merits, here are the most recommended options:
- Shaving: Best for players who need wood and hardwood regularly
- Swift: Excellent for clearing large areas quickly
- Efficient: Great for players who want to conserve energy
Hardwood Farming with Your Upgraded Axe
Hardwood is a valuable resource required for various crafting recipes and buildings. Here’s how to effectively farm hardwood once you’ve upgraded your axe:
Sources of Hardwood
With a Copper Axe or better, you can obtain hardwood from:
- Large stumps (yields 2 hardwood each)
- Large logs with a Steel Axe (yields 2 hardwood each)
- Mahogany Trees (can be grown from Mahogany Seeds)
Daily Renewable Hardwood Locations
Several locations offer renewable hardwood sources:
| Location | Requirement | Daily Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Woods | Steel Axe | 12 (6 large stumps) |
| Forest Farm | None | 16 (8 large stumps on west side) |
| Four Corners Farm | None | 2 (1 large stump in top left) |
| Ginger Island | Access to the island | Variable (Mahogany Trees) |
Mahogany Tree Farming
For a sustainable hardwood source on your farm:
- Obtain Mahogany Seeds from:
- Hardwood sources (10% drop chance)
- Secret Woods slimes
- Harvesting mature Mahogany Trees
- Plant seeds on your farm
- Wait 7-10 days for trees to mature
- Harvest with any axe for 10 hardwood per tree
Strategic Timing for Axe Upgrades
Deciding when to upgrade your axe can impact your gameplay efficiency. Here are some recommendations for timing each upgrade:
Early Game (Spring-Summer Year 1)
- Copper Axe: Aim to get this by mid-spring of Year 1 to start collecting hardwood from large stumps
- Steel Axe: Try to obtain by early summer of Year 1 to access the Secret Woods for daily hardwood collection
Mid Game (Fall Year 1 – Spring Year 2)
- Gold Axe: Target this upgrade by winter of Year 1 when farm work is reduced
- Iridium Axe: Typically achievable by spring/summer of Year 2 after Skull Cavern runs
Upgrade Priority Among Tools
When deciding which tools to upgrade first, consider this priority order:
- Pickaxe (first to Copper or Steel): Helps mine more efficiently to get materials for other upgrades
- Axe (to Steel): Provides access to Secret Woods and hardwood
- Watering Can: Makes daily watering more efficient
- Hoe: Helps prepare soil more quickly
- Remaining upgrades based on your gameplay focus
Frequently Asked Questions About Axe Upgrades
How long does it take to upgrade an axe in Stardew Valley?
Each axe upgrade takes 2 in-game days to complete. You’ll be without your axe during this time. When you give your axe to Clint, you’ll be able to use it for the remainder of that day. The next day you won’t have access to it, and on the following day, you can pick it up from Clint’s shop after he opens at 9AM.
Where do I find the materials needed for axe upgrades?
Copper, iron, and gold ore are found in the mines at different depth levels. Copper is most common in floors 1-39, iron in floors 40-79, and gold in floors 80-119. Iridium ore is rare in the regular mines but can be found in greater quantities in Skull Cavern, especially on deeper levels. Coal can be obtained from mining coal nodes, killing Dust Sprites, or using a Charcoal Kiln to convert wood.
Can I skip upgrade tiers for my axe?
No, you must upgrade your axe in sequence from basic to copper, steel, gold, and finally iridium. There’s no way to skip tiers in the standard upgrade path. However, if you get the “Powerful” enchantment on a lower-tier axe, it can function at a higher tier for certain activities.
What is the best enchantment for the axe?
The best enchantment depends on your gameplay style. “Shaving” provides extra wood and hardwood, making it ideal for players who need these resources regularly. “Swift” makes the axe swing faster, which is excellent for clearing large areas. “Efficient” removes all energy cost, which helps conserve energy for other activities. For most players, “Shaving” offers the best overall utility.
Is it worth upgrading the axe early in the game?
Yes, upgrading your axe to at least the Steel tier is highly recommended early in the game. The Steel Axe allows access to the Secret Woods, which provides a daily source of hardwood needed for many important farm buildings and items. Getting at least a Copper Axe by mid-spring and a Steel Axe by early summer of Year 1 will significantly improve your progress in the game.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to upgrade your axe efficiently in Stardew Valley, making your farming life much easier as you progress through the game. Whether you’re clearing your farm, collecting hardwood, or exploring new areas, an upgraded axe is an essential tool in your farming arsenal.
This guide is based on information from several Stardew Valley resource sites, including the Stardew Valley Wiki, TheGamer, Carl’s Guides, Theria Games, and Game Rant.
