Originally posted by ling.speed:

It may not be "the tool" to use every time, but it definitely CAN be faster than oversized deer horns.

I've used this method many times in no-boss runs, and it takes me at least a few days to get the 26 copper and 13 tin required for the bench and the pickaxe. I can then mine more than that in one day after getting the pick.

I don't think I've ever seen a starred troll near spawn, so I don't know how much difference that makes, but I wouldn't want to rely on it.

As for the abomination mining. I did not think of trying it, but I can't imagine it's any faster than just using a stagbreaker and a pick. The difficulty is not in the mining (other than when it's underwater), it's in finding the piles in the first place, which aren't very common in my experience.

I also question the need for it, other than in a no-boss run. It doesn't take long to beat the elder. It seems like if you can run around in the swamp, you can easily beat the elder.