Robin's lost axe is one of the first quests you'll encounter in Stardew Valley, and knowing exactly where to find it saves you a lot of wandering. The axe sits on the ground in Cindersap Forest, just south of Marnie's Ranch — a spot that's easy to miss if you don't know to look there. This guide walks you through every step, from receiving the quest letter to collecting your reward.
What You Need to Know
The quest triggers automatically in early Spring of Year 1 — usually between Day 5 and Day 11, on the first rainy day you experience. Robin sends you a letter through your mailbox explaining she has misplaced her axe somewhere in the forest south of town. You do not need any special tools, items, or a certain friendship level to complete it. Simply walk to the right spot, pick up the axe, and bring it back.
How to Find Robin's Axe
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Step 1: Check Your Mailbox in the Morning
After the first rainy day in Spring Year 1 (typically between Day 5 and Day 11), walk outside your farmhouse and check the mailbox at the end of your farm path. You will find a letter from Robin explaining that she lost her axe somewhere in Cindersap Forest. Opening the letter adds the "Robin's Lost Axe" quest to your journal automatically. If the letter has not arrived yet, wait one more day and check again.
Robin's quest letter arrives in your mailbox on a rainy morning in early Spring Year 1. -
Step 2: Travel South to Cindersap Forest
Exit your farm by heading south through the gate at the bottom of your farm. This takes you directly into Cindersap Forest, a large wooded area that also contains the Wizard's Tower, Leah's Cottage, and a small pond. Marnie's Ranch sits on the eastern side of this south exit. You do not need to go far — the axe is near the northern part of the forest, close to the farm boundary.
Head south from your farm gate to enter Cindersap Forest. Marnie's Ranch is on your right. -
Step 3: Find the Axe South of Marnie's Ranch
Once inside Cindersap Forest, look for Marnie's Ranch on your right (east). Walk south along the fence line of her property. The axe is lying on the ground just south of Marnie's Ranch fence, near a large tree on the eastern side of the forest. It appears as a small glowing item sprite on the ground — look for the sparkle effect. The exact tile is a few steps below and to the left of the ranch's south fence.
The axe glows on the ground just south of Marnie's Ranch fence, near the large tree. -
Step 4: Pick Up the Axe
Walk over to the axe and press your action/interact button to pick it up (the default key is C or the right-click mouse button on PC; the A button on Xbox, the X button on PlayStation, or the Y button on Nintendo Switch). The axe is added to your inventory as a quest item. A short notification confirms it has been collected. It does not take up a regular inventory slot and cannot be dropped or sold.
Approach the axe and press your action button. A pickup popup confirms it is now in your inventory. -
Step 5: Return the Axe to Robin
Carry the axe to Robin's Carpentry Shop, located in the Mountain area north of town (above the Blacksmith). The shop is open from 9 AM to 5 PM most days, but is closed on Tuesdays and during some festival days. Walk up to Robin and press the action button to speak with her. She will thank you, and the quest completes instantly. You receive 250 gold coins and +1 friendship heart with Robin as your reward.
Visit Robin at her Carpentry Shop to complete the quest and collect 250g plus a friendship heart.
Tips and Useful Notes
- Do it early. There is no hard deadline for the quest, but completing it quickly unlocks Robin's full Carpentry Shop menu sooner, which you need for farm upgrades.
- The axe respawns correctly. If you somehow do not see the item on the ground, try entering and exiting the area once. The game loads item drops when you change screens.
- Robin's shop days matter. Her shop is closed on Tuesdays. If you collect the axe on a Monday evening, wait until Wednesday to return it — or plan to visit the Mountain area on a different day.
- Friendship counts. The +1 heart you earn nudges Robin closer to sharing her personal story events, which eventually unlock a side-quest involving her husband Demetrius.
- You can still chop trees. While carrying the quest item, your regular axe (the one in your toolbar) works normally. Robin's Axe is a separate quest-only item.
Troubleshooting
The axe is not on the ground where it should be
Make sure the "Robin's Lost Axe" quest is active in your journal. The item only appears on the ground after you have received and opened Robin's letter. If the quest is listed in your journal and the axe still isn't there, try exiting Cindersap Forest to the north and re-entering from the south.
I haven't received the letter yet
The letter from Robin triggers on a rainy day in Spring Year 1, generally between Day 5 and Day 11. If you are past Day 11 and have not received it, check that your in-game date matches these days. Note that on some farm layouts the rainy trigger can shift slightly. Keep checking your mailbox each morning.
Robin's shop is closed when I try to return the axe
Robin's Carpentry Shop closes at 5 PM every day, is always shut on Tuesdays, and may also close on festival days. If you arrive and the shop is locked, come back the next day when it is open, between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Robin's axe in Stardew Valley?
Robin's axe is in Cindersap Forest, on the ground just south of Marnie's Ranch fence. Enter Cindersap Forest through the south exit of your farm, head east toward Marnie's Ranch, then look for the glowing item sprite south of her fence line near the large tree.
What do you get for returning Robin's axe?
Completing the Robin's Lost Axe quest rewards you with 250 gold and +1 friendship heart with Robin. The heart helps you unlock Robin's friendship events over time.
When does Robin's axe quest start?
The quest triggers on the first rainy day of Spring Year 1, typically between Day 5 and Day 11. Robin sends you a letter in the morning mail on that day.
Can you fail or miss Robin's axe quest?
The quest does not have a time limit, so you cannot fail it by waiting. However, the axe will not appear on the ground until you have received and opened Robin's letter, so check your mailbox first.
Does Robin's axe quest affect anything else in the game?
Not directly, but building friendship with Robin is useful long-term. Robin is the person you hire to upgrade your farmhouse and build farm structures, and higher friendship means more cut-scenes and dialogue that flesh out her character and family.
Conclusion
Finding Robin's axe is a quick and rewarding early quest in Stardew Valley. Check your mailbox on a rainy day in Spring Year 1, head south to Cindersap Forest, pick up the glowing axe just south of Marnie's Ranch, and return it to Robin's Carpentry Shop for 250 gold and a friendship boost. For more on managing relationships and quests in the game, see the official Stardew Valley website.
