The best early tools are the ones that remove your current bottleneck. Faster mining, safer travel and more reliable resource gathering usually matter more than crafting everything at once.
Prioritize the tool that unlocks the next resource step
A better pickaxe often matters early because it expands what you can gather and speeds up the activity you repeat most.
Utility tools can be worth more than duplicate gear
A tool that solves movement, gathering or safety problems may create more value than another copy of equipment you already have.
Replace only what is actually slowing you down
Do not upgrade every tool just because you can. Spend materials where the time or safety gain is obvious.
Turn each upgrade into a stronger resource loop
The point of better tools is to make the next trip faster, safer and more productive.