Minecraft wiki entry for Beginner%27s_guide, associated text: Once you have a stone axe, you should try to get more logs as time allows; extra logs are useful in many ways, such as building, crafting, securing your base and much more. If you have difficulty finding coal, you definitely want an extra dozen or more logs to make charcoal! With coal or charcoal, you can make torches (coal/charcoal above a stick on the crafting grid) for the night.