Antique Pickaxe
by cedr0u
Antique Pickaxe is a Forge and NeoForge equipment mod in which a pickaxe gains experience from the blocks it breaks and evolves as it grows.
What it does
The pickaxe keeps a running experience total. Each block broken with it adds experience scaled to that block's hardness, and once the total reaches a set level the tool changes into a stronger form. Durability wear from mining feeds into the same progression, so a pickaxe used on tough stone advances faster than one used on dirt. The author describes the idea as a joke that became a system, and it is meant to be used in modpacks.
Two keys open information views about the tool. One opens a GUI with the pickaxe's details, and the other shows an overlay with the same information while the player plays. Breaking three blocks at once, a mining behavior the author lists among the features, is also part of the tool's setup. Inventory right-clicking with the pickaxe while holding TNT is tied to an explosion effect, one TNT per explosion.
A server running it needs every connecting player to have it too. Files are published for Forge and NeoForge across 11 release versions, 1.14.4 – 1.21.8, under All rights reserved. The source code and issue tracker are publicly linked.
Key features
Evolving pickaxe
The pickaxe gains experience from mining and changes into a new form as its total grows.
Durability-based experience
Experience depends on the durability of each block broken, so harder blocks feed progression more.
Information GUI
A key opens a screen that lists the pickaxe's current information and progress.
Information overlay
A second key shows a heads-up overlay with the pickaxe's data while playing.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
1.21.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.20.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.19.x2 of 2 versions with builds
1.18.x1 of 1 version with builds
1.16.x1 of 1 version with builds
1.14.x1 of 1 version with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who enjoy tools that change over time, and modpack builders who want a mining item with a progression path. It suits games where the pickaxe is used heavily.
How it compares
Elementary Craft is a Forge mod for 1.20.1, licensed as All rights reserved, and runs on client and server. Primo's Mining Pickaxe is also a Forge mod for 1.20.1 that runs on client and server, but it is released under the MIT License and is not open source. Epic Knights: Antique Legacy covers 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 on Fabric, Forge and NeoForge.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antique Pickaxe | Forge and NeoForge | 1.14.4 – 1.21.8 | Client and server | 2025-08-26 |
| Elementary Craft | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2024-01-16 |
| Primo's Mining Pickaxe | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2024-02-02 |
| Epic Knights: Antique Legacy | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-09-22 |
Questions
Does Antique Pickaxe need a specific loader?
Do servers need the mod installed?
Which game versions does Antique Pickaxe support?
Does the TNT interaction require another mod?
In the catalog
Antique Pickaxe is one of 17,631 Equipment mods on ModsFinder, and one of 9,216 Equipment mods for Forge. 17,695 mods support Minecraft 1.21.8.
More from cedr0u
Similar mods
What the author says
A mod that adds a pickaxe, you probably think it's a joke, ahahah but this pickaxe has a system of xp which makes that according to the durability of the block that you break your pickaxe will evolve,
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/antique-pickaxe
- Owner
- cedr0u
- Published
- 2022-01-23
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-08-26
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15