Robin’s Lost Axe is one of the earliest side quests you’ll encounter in Stardew Valley, and it serves as a perfect introduction to the game’s quest mechanics. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding Robin’s Lost Axe, from when the quest becomes available to the exact location of the axe and the rewards for completing it. Whether you’re a newcomer to Stardew Valley or a returning player who needs a refresher, this guide has you covered.
How to Trigger the Robin’s Lost Axe Quest
Before you can begin searching for Robin’s lost axe, you need to trigger the quest. This happens automatically as you progress through the early days of your Stardew Valley adventure.
Quest Unlock Timeline
The quest becomes available through a specific in-game event:
| Day | Season | Event | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th | Spring | Mail delivery | Check your mailbox |
| Any | Any | Read letter | Accept quest automatically |
On the 11th day of Spring (which is the 11th day of your game since you start in Spring), you’ll receive a letter from Robin in your mailbox. In this letter, Robin explains that she has lost her favorite axe and is offering a reward to whoever can find it. The quest will be automatically added to your journal once you’ve read the letter.
The Quest Description
Robin’s letter provides a small hint about where to search:
“MISSING: I lost my favorite Axe! If you find it, please return ASAP. I’m having a tough time without it. There’s 250 gold in it for whoever finds the thing.”
She mentions that the last time she remembers using it, she was cutting wood south of Marnie’s Ranch.
Where to Find Robin’s Lost Axe
With the quest activated, it’s time to locate the missing axe. The description gives you a general area to search, but the exact location can be tricky to find, especially for new players who are still getting familiar with Stardew Valley’s map.
Step-by-Step Directions to the Axe
- Start at your farm and head south
- Continue south until you reach Cindersap Forest
- Locate Marnie’s Ranch (the building in the eastern part of the forest)
- Head south from Marnie’s Ranch toward the river
- Cross the first wooden bridge to the small island
- Cross the second bridge to the other side of the river
- Continue south until you reach the sewer drain entrance
- From the sewer drain, head east following the cliff edge
- Look for the axe in the southeastern corner of the forest
The axe will be visibly lying on the ground near some bushes in the far southeastern corner of Cindersap Forest, just east of where you can find Spring Onions during springtime.
Visual Landmarks to Help You Navigate
While searching for the axe, look for these visual landmarks to confirm you’re on the right track:
- Wooden bridges crossing the river
- The sewer drain (a large pipe in the southern part of the forest)
- A cliff edge along the eastern boundary
- Bushes and trees in the southeastern corner
- Spring Onions in the ground during Spring (the axe is just east of this area)
Returning the Axe to Robin
Once you’ve found the axe, you need to return it to Robin to complete the quest and claim your reward.
Where to Find Robin
Robin can be found in several locations depending on the day and time:
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM | Carpenter’s Shop |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 5 PM | Pierre’s General Store |
| Most days | After 5 PM | Her home (above Carpenter’s Shop) |
| Festivals | Festival hours | Festival location |
The easiest place to find Robin is at her Carpenter’s Shop, located in the mountains north of Pelican Town. She typically works there from 9 AM to 5 PM every day except Tuesday, when the shop is closed and she can often be found at Pierre’s General Store.
How to Give the Axe to Robin
To return the axe to Robin:
- Place the axe in your hotbar
- Select the axe so your character is holding it
- Speak to Robin with the axe selected
- A dialogue will automatically trigger, and Robin will thank you for finding her axe
Unlike giving gifts, you don’t need to use any special controls to return the axe – just make sure it’s the selected item when you talk to Robin.
Rewards for Completing the Quest
Completing the Robin’s Lost Axe quest provides several benefits that can help you in the early stages of your farm development.
Immediate Rewards
Upon returning the axe to Robin, you’ll receive:
- 250 Gold – A decent sum in the early game
- One Friendship Heart with Robin – Improves your relationship with her
Indirect Benefits
In addition to the explicit rewards, completing this quest offers several indirect benefits:
- Early Exploration – Forces you to explore Cindersap Forest, a resource-rich area
- Resource Collection – While searching, you can gather spring forageables
- Map Familiarity – Helps you learn the layout of the southern area
- Robin’s Friendship – Having higher friendship with Robin can lead to special events and potentially reduced prices at her shop
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Players occasionally encounter issues when trying to complete this quest. Here are solutions to the most common problems:
Can’t Find the Axe
If you’re having trouble locating Robin’s axe:
- Make sure you’re in the correct location (southeastern corner of Cindersap Forest)
- Check near the cliff edge east of the sewer drain
- Look for a distinct axe icon on the ground (it’s not hidden in bushes or trees)
- Ensure you’ve actually received the quest in your journal
Unable to Return the Axe
If you’re having trouble returning the axe to Robin:
- Verify the axe is in your inventory and selected in your hotbar
- Make sure you’re speaking to Robin during her working hours
- Try finding her at her home after 5 PM if the shop is closed
- Check that you haven’t accidentally lost the axe (it can be retrieved from the lost and found box in Mayor Lewis’ house if you have)
Time Constraints
Unlike some quests in Stardew Valley, there’s no time limit for finding and returning Robin’s axe. You can take as long as you need to complete this quest, even if that means waiting until a later season or year.
Robin’s Lost Axe in the Broader Game Context
Understanding how this quest fits into the broader scope of Stardew Valley can help you appreciate its significance.
Early Game Progression
The Robin’s Lost Axe quest is one of the first quests you’ll receive, and it serves several purposes in the game’s progression:
- Introduces you to the quest system
- Encourages exploration of the map
- Teaches you about NPC interactions
- Provides early gold when resources are limited
- Helps you start building relationships with villagers
Relationship Building
Robin is one of the most useful NPCs to befriend in Stardew Valley since she:
- Upgrades your farmhouse
- Builds farm buildings
- Sells essential resources like wood and stone
- Has interactions with other important characters
Starting to build your relationship with her early through this quest can pay dividends throughout your game.
Strategic Timing for Completing the Quest
While there’s no time limit on completing this quest, there are strategic considerations for when to do it.
Best Time to Find the Axe
The optimal time to search for Robin’s axe is:
- During daylight hours (easier to see)
- When exploring Cindersap Forest for other resources
- During Spring, when you can also collect valuable Spring Onions nearby
- Early in your gameplay when 250g is still significant
Best Time to Return the Axe
Consider returning the axe:
- When you’re already heading to the Carpenter’s Shop for other business
- Before you need to purchase building upgrades (to potentially benefit from improved friendship)
- During morning hours when Robin is reliably at her shop
FAQ About Robin’s Lost Axe
Is there a time limit to find Robin’s axe?
No, there is no time limit for the Robin’s Lost Axe quest. You can complete it at any point in your game after receiving the quest, even if that means waiting until later years.
Can I lose Robin’s axe after finding it?
If you somehow lose the axe after finding it (for example, by accidentally throwing it away), you can retrieve it from the Lost and Found box in Mayor Lewis’ house. The game treats quest items specially to prevent them from being permanently lost.
Does finding Robin’s axe affect any other quests?
Finding Robin’s axe doesn’t directly impact other quests, but building friendship with Robin through this quest can unlock heart events and dialogues that enrich your game experience.
Can I use Robin’s axe after finding it?
No, you cannot use Robin’s axe as a tool. It exists solely as a quest item and will disappear from your inventory after you return it to Robin.
Does the axe location change in different game saves?
No, the location of Robin’s axe is fixed and will always be in the same spot in Cindersap Forest for every game save. This makes it easier to find if you’ve completed this quest before in a previous playthrough.
Conclusion
Finding Robin’s lost axe is a simple but rewarding early-game quest in Stardew Valley. By following this guide, you should have no trouble locating the axe in Cindersap Forest and returning it to Robin for your reward. The quest helps you explore an important area of the map, builds your relationship with a key character, and provides a nice early-game gold boost.
As you continue your Stardew Valley adventure, many more quests and challenges await, but mastering this simple task is a great first step toward becoming a successful farmer and valued member of the Pelican Town community.
