Can you collect resources without tools?

You can still gather wood and stone by bashing them with a rock. However, secondary resources can’t be obtained this way. Using your axe and pickaxe is still strongly recommended since it also gives more resources and mastery points. Gathering hemps, fruits, and vegetables doesn't require any tool. Of course, you can get resources as quest rewards or finding chests.

Take note that the quality of the equipped axe and pickaxe will matter too. You’ll start off with the Stone Axe and Pickaxe but for you to gather more wood and stone from higher level trees or stones, you need to get better ones, starting from Iron Axe and Pickaxes, and so on.