Best Tool materials for beginning player?

[Alizona]

From examining the wiki, it appears my best choice for pickaxe material is Tungsten? I would assume the only thing that really matters is "mining speed", and Tungsten has a higher value than any other material on the list, even higher-tier materials. What's up with that?

But also, from the wiki, it says chopping speed for axes is altered only by speed modifiers and nothing else. So, does this mean I can stay with the copper axe forever? Why are there so many different axe materials and stats listed in the wiki, if they all chop at the same speed? What's the point?

I don't even use a bow, but if I did... what's the best beginners material for it?

As far as weapons go... I got a Zombie Arm and that seems way better than any sword I could make myself, just based on stats... but let's say I did decide to make my own sword - what material would a beginner use in order to have the best weapon possible?

[Yamaraja666]

Mining power is what matters. The shark from fishing in the oceans is the best mining tool up until you start getting meteors to spawn and hellstone armor/tools.

[a puppy]

A combination of pickaxe/axe/hammer power and the base usage speed are what decide how fast you're able to mine. A platinum pickaxe is likely the best you can create at the beginning of the game, but your world might've generated gold ore instead- in that case, go with a gold pickaxe. If you're patient enough and have enough bait, you can try your luck at either ocean to fish up a Reaver Shark, a very strong pickaxe which'll last you through all of pre-hardmode and even last you in the beginning of hardmode. :p Zombie Arm was a lucky drop, and it's a good weapon! Purely material-wise, you'd be best off creating platinum weapons and armor.

[Alizona]

Why platinum and not tungsten? I made a tungsten pickaxe because the wiki says it has a mining speed of 19, while platinum's mining speed is only 15. You say "mining power" is all that matters, so speed is irrelevant? I must admit, the speed jump from my old copper pickaxe to the tungsten pickaxe is noticeable, but not "omg wow" type of improvement.

Well I see platinum can mine "Demonite" and "Crimtane" ore level, but since I have no idea what those even are yet, I'm not gonna worry too much. My tungsten pickaxe can mine "Meteorite", so once I figure out what/where those are, I guess I'll still be happy with the tungsten pick.

Ok, I haven't even thought about fishing yet, so thanks for that advice.

[dreynar_swag]

since you said beginner material which i will count as before even the first boss a tungsten pickaxe will get you mining faster yes if you get speed modifier on it ever better that being said the best pickaxe before any boss is a hassle to get but worth it(the shark one you fish from ocean biome)