Axes

Axes are basic tools that a player can use to destroy trees and cacti, including their variants. They can also be used as weapons. New players choosing any of the Classic mode difficulty settings (Classic, Mediumcore, Hardcore) will always spawn with a Copper Axe, while players start with an Iron Axe.

A tree has 500% hit points and a cactus 170% hit points. The chopping speed of axes is altered only by speed modifiers and nothing else.

The best modifier is Light for pre-Hardmode axes and Legendary for Hardmode axes. Exceptions are the Meteor Hamaxe, which has the same speed with the Legendary modifier as with the Light modifier, and the Shroomite Digging Claw which will cut down faster when reforged to Light.

Tips

 * Axes can be reforged to increase speed of cutting down trees, which chainsaws cannot.