How to Get an Axe in Animal Crossing: Easy Guide
If you’re wondering how to get an axe in Animal Crossing, you’ve come to the right place. Animal Crossing is undoubtedly one of the most addicting games out there. Many people have found themselves playing for hours on end, and while some may find this repetitive, others find the game to be incredibly therapeutic. One of the main objectives in the game is to collect as many items as possible, and one item that can be difficult to obtain is an axe.
How to Get an Axe in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The axe is one of the most useful tools you can have in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It allows you to chop down trees, collect wood, and clear space on your island. There are actually several types of axes available in the game, including the Flimsy Axe, the Stone Axe, and the full Axe. Each one has different properties and uses, so understanding the differences will help you decide which one to craft or purchase first.
The easiest way to start is by crafting a Flimsy Axe. To do this, you will need to obtain the DIY recipe from Tom Nook himself. On your first day on the island, Tom Nook will guide you through a DIY workshop inside the Resident Services tent, during which he gives you the recipes for the Flimsy Fishing Rod and the Flimsy Net. Your next step is to put those tools to use: head out and catch at least two different types of specimens — any combination of two distinct fish or bugs will do. Bring them back and show them to Tom Nook, and he will reward you with both the Flimsy Axe recipe and the Watering Can recipe. This is the reliable, fixed way to unlock the Flimsy Axe early in the game.
To craft a Flimsy Axe, you will need 5 tree branches and 1 stone. Tree branches can be collected by shaking trees around your island, and stones can be found by hitting rocks with a shovel or your own flimsy axe. Once you have the materials, head to any crafting workbench and select the Flimsy Axe from your available DIY recipes.
Upgrading Your Axe: How to Get an Axe in Animal Crossing That Lasts Longer
The Flimsy Axe will break after a limited number of uses, so you will want to upgrade to a more durable option as soon as possible. Both the Stone Axe and the full Axe recipes are unlocked by purchasing the Pretty-Good Tools Recipes at the Nook Stop terminal inside Resident Services for 3,000 Nook Miles. Once you have redeemed that pack, both recipes will be added to your DIY collection immediately.
The Stone Axe is the next step up and requires 1 Flimsy Axe and 3 Wood to craft. The Stone Axe is particularly useful because it can hit trees to collect wood without actually chopping them down, making it the best choice for players who want to preserve their island’s trees. If you want the full Axe — the one that can actually fell trees entirely — it requires 1 Flimsy Axe, 3 Wood, and 1 Iron Nugget to craft. Iron nuggets are obtained by hitting rocks repeatedly with a shovel or axe. The full Axe will chop a tree down on the third hit, so use it deliberately when you are ready to clear space rather than just gather resources.
Here is a clear breakdown of all four axe types to help you choose the right tool for the job:
Flimsy Axe — Unlocked by showing Tom Nook two different fish or bug specimens after the DIY workshop. Crafted from 5 Tree Branches and 1 Stone. Can gather wood from trees but cannot fell them. Breaks quickly, lasting roughly 40 uses.
Stone Axe — Unlocked via the Pretty-Good Tools Recipes pack from the Nook Stop for 3,000 Nook Miles. Crafted from 1 Flimsy Axe and 3 Wood. Like the Flimsy Axe, it gathers wood without chopping trees down, making it the best everyday tool when you want materials without losing trees. More durable than the Flimsy Axe, lasting around 100 uses.
Axe — Also unlocked via the Pretty-Good Tools Recipes pack from the Nook Stop for 3,000 Nook Miles. Crafted from 1 Flimsy Axe, 3 Wood, and 1 Iron Nugget. This axe will fell a tree on the third hit, permanently removing it from your island. Use it when you are actively redesigning your layout. Lasts around 100 uses.
Golden Axe — See the dedicated section below for full unlock details. Can fell trees and offers the best durability of all axe types, but it still breaks eventually.
According to the official Nintendo Animal Crossing: New Horizons page, the game is designed to encourage players to explore crafting and resource gathering at their own pace, making tools like the axe central to the overall experience.
How to Get the Golden Axe
The Golden Axe is the most prestigious axe in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and unlocking it takes real dedication. To obtain the DIY recipe, you must break a total of 100 axe tools — any combination of Flimsy Axes, Stone Axes, and regular Axes counts toward that total. Once you hit the 100-broken-tool milestone, the Golden Axe recipe will be mailed to you automatically.
To craft the Golden Axe, you will need 1 Axe and 1 Gold Nugget. Gold Nuggets are rare drops obtained by hitting rocks with a shovel or axe, so it is worth stockpiling them when you find them.
One important thing to know before you grind for this recipe: the Golden Axe is not permanent in New Horizons. It will still break after extended use, with a commonly cited lifespan of around 200 uses. It is significantly more durable than the standard Axe, but do not expect it to last forever. Keep a backup crafted and ready so you are never caught short on a busy island-building session.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Axe
Once you know how to get an axe in Animal Crossing, there are a few tips that can help you make the most of this essential tool. First, always carry extra materials so you can craft a replacement axe if yours breaks at an inconvenient time. Second, use the Stone Axe when you only need wood and want to keep your trees intact. Third, if you want to redesign your island layout, the full Axe is the best choice for clearing trees quickly and efficiently.
It is also worth noting that axes can be customized using Customization Kits, which you can purchase from Nook’s Cranny. This allows you to change the appearance of your axe without affecting its functionality. Customizing your tools is a fun way to add a personal touch to your Animal Crossing experience.
Where to Find Axe Recipes
If you are still struggling to find the right DIY recipe, there are several reliable methods. Talking to your island’s villagers regularly can sometimes reward you with new recipes. Visiting mystery islands using Nook Miles Tickets is another great way to find new DIY recipes and gather extra materials. You can also trade recipes with friends online, which is one of the most enjoyable social aspects of the game.
Understanding how to get an axe in Animal Crossing is one of the first major milestones for any new player. Once you have mastered crafting and upgrading your axe, you will find that the rest of the game opens up significantly, giving you the freedom to shape your island exactly the way you want it.
