Stardew Valley Tool Upgrade Order, Price and Materials (1.6)
Pickaxe or Axe first? Clint upgrade fees, materials per tier, and when to send your Watering Can — avoid losing a whole season. Stardew 1.6.
Upgrading tools in the wrong order won't kill you, but it'll make your life a nightmare. Hand-watering a 100-tile farm mid-summer because you sent your Watering Can to Clint at the wrong time is a mistake you only make once.
Quick summary
- Priority: Pickaxe → Watering Can or Hoe → Axe.
- Time: Clint takes 2 working days. He’s closed on Fridays.
- Tip: Don't upgrade the Watering Can or Hoe right before a season starts.
- Late game: Only spend Iridium Bar and shards at the Forge when your farm is stable.
What to upgrade first?
1. Pickaxe — Top Priority
Reaching deeper mine floors is how you get ore and gold — check the Year 1 money guide or the minerals catalog if you're short on cash. Steel Pickaxe (Floor 40+) and Gold Pickaxe (Floor 80+) are mandatory milestones for Year 1.
2. Watering Can or Hoe
Go for Watering Can if you have massive plots. Go for Hoe if you dig artifacts or delay sprinklers. Honestly, don't waste an Iridium Bar on the Watering Can if your farm is already covered by Quality Sprinklers.
3. Axe
Upgrade this when you actually need to enter the Secret Woods for Hardwood. It can wait until mid-game.
4. Scythe
Cannot be upgraded. Don't waste your time looking for it in Clint's menu.
Clint's upgrade fees (1.6)
Each upgrade needs 5 metal bars and a gold fee. Clint doesn't work on festivals or Fridays.
| Tier | Materials | Gold Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 5 Copper Bar | 2,000g | Early Year 1 |
| Steel | 5 Iron Bar | 5,000g | Mining Floors 40-79 |
| Gold | 5 Gold Bar | 10,000g | Get this before Skull Cavern |
| Iridium | 5 Iridium Bar | 25,000g | Late game meta |
The Iridium price is steep for Year 1. Don't rush it if you still lack a Gold Pickaxe.
Pro-tips to avoid a lost season
- Drop off your Watering Can or Hoe on the last day of the season. You'll get it back on Day 1 of the new season.
- Wait for Rain. Rainy days don't need watering — that's your window to visit Clint.
- Install Quality Sprinklers before going Iridium on your can.
Clint only handles one tool at a time. No overnight shipping here. Bad timing on a heavy farming week will ruin your mood. Check the Daily Planner first.
Forge & Enchantments (1.5+)
Once you have Iridium tools and the Forge unlocked at the Volcano Dungeon, you can add enchants:
- Artful: Less stamina drain for Pickaxe and Axe.
- Bottomless: Watering Can stays full.
- Archaeologist: Better artifact luck for the Hoe.
Only enchant when you're on Iridium tier. Don't burn shards early.
Suggested Roadmap
Year 1 — Spring / Summer
- Copper Pickaxe → Steel Pickaxe (Absolute priority).
- Copper Watering Can or Copper Hoe.
Year 1 — Fall / Winter
- Gold Pickaxe before Skull Cavern.
- Steel Axe for Hardwood.
Related on StardewHub
- Minerals & Artifacts — bar costs for each upgrade tier.
- Daily Planner — Clint’s schedule, festivals, and season timing before you drop tools off.
- Mining guides — Mine floors, Skull Cavern, Iridium (more coming).
Personally, I always rush Pickaxe to Gold. I hate hitting rocks three times on the deeper floors.
Updated for 1.6.