Minecraft wiki entry for Things_not_to_do, associated text: No player wants to use tools that are about to break, so many players just throw low-durability tools out, even if they are valuable. It is a big mistake to throw away low-durability tools and armor, as it still has some use. An item with low durability can still be used, so throwing out these items is wasting the potential use they could be used for. The player can also use old tools to repair them. Low-durability items could be kept in a chest in case the player dies and loses their stuff. Any scrap tools or armor made of iron or gold can be chucked in the furnace to obtain a nugget and old wooden tools and weapons can instead be used as furnace fuel.