Every primary tool type has a set amount of durability, meaning it can only be used a certain amount of times before it breaks and you have to replace it. Golden varieties of these tools last a significantly longer amount of time, at the cost of your time to craft them, as well as a Gold Nugget.
In this guide, we’re going to list out the durability (uses) for each tool’s variants, as well as how you can obtain the recipe for the coveted Golden version. As you might expect, getting your hands on these recipes is a time-intensive effort and you will likely be trying to get some of them for months.
It’s worth noting that the Ladder and Vaulting Pole, two very important tools to have on-hand, will last forever and never break. Just don’t throw them away, lest you get stuck and have to craft new ones!
Tool Variants
Once Nook’s Cranny gets its first upgrade, you are able to buy tools that are equal in durability to the basic upgraded tools. So an Outdoorsy Shovel or Outdoorsy Net will last the same amount of time as a regular Shovel or Net.
Worth keeping in mind, though they are a bit pricey at 2,500 Bells.
New Horizons Shovels
Flimsy Shovel — 40 uses Golden Shovel — 200 uses All other Shovels — 100 uses
How to Get the Golden Shovel
You can get the Golden Shovel recipe by helping Gulliver 30 times, after which the recipe will be mailed to you. It requires a Shovel and 1 Gold Nugget to craft.
New Horizons Fishing Rods
Flimsy Fishing Rod — 10 uses Gold Fishing Rod — 90 uses All other Fishing Rods — 30 uses
How to Get the Golden Fishing Rod
You can get the Golden Fishing Rod recipe by catching every type of fish, after which the recipe will be mailed to you. It requires a Fishing Rod and 1 Gold Nugget to craft.
New Horizons Nets
Flimsy Net — 10 uses Golden Net — 90 uses All other Nets — 30 uses
How to Get the Golden Net
You can get the Golden Net recipe by catching every type of bug, after which the recipe will be mailed to you. It requires a Net and 1 Gold Nugget to craft.
New Horizons Axes
Flimsy Axe — 40 uses Golden Axe — 200 uses Stone Axe — 100 uses Axe — 100 uses
How to Get the Golden Axe
You can get the Golden Axe recipe by breaking a total of 100 Axes, after which the recipe will be mailed to you. It requires an Axe and 1 Gold Nugget to craft.
The Golden Axe functions like the Axe and not the Stone Axe, meaning it will chop down trees after three hits.
New Horizons Watering Cans
Flimsy Watering Can — 20 uses Golden Watering Can — 180 uses All other Watering Cans — 60 uses
How to Get the Golden Watering Can
You can get the Golden Watering Can by receiving a 5-star rating for your island at Isabelle. It requires a Watering Can and 1 Gold Nugget to craft.
New Horizons Slingshots
Slingshot — 20 uses Golden Slingshot — 60 uses All other Slingshots — 20 uses
How to get the Golden Slingshot
You can get the Golden Slingshot recipe by popping 300 balloons, after which a golden balloon will spawn. Pop it, and it will drop the recipe. It requires a Slingshot and 1 Gold Nugget to craft.
Check out our other Animal Crossing: New Horizons guides and other content. You won’t regret it!
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