Lost items after swapping from baskets to backpacks?

[Vandle]

Normally I wouldn't flip out, but I'm just starting out and have lost my copper pickaxe AND copper prospecting pickaxe.
That's 200 units of native copper I've scrounged up, GONE.
This SHOULD be in "Bugs". Bugs is archived.
What am I supposed to do with this?

[idiomcritter]

welcome to the forum @Vandle 

just curious, did you happen to try swapping back in the baskets?

I only ask because backpacks, baskets act as storage and can actually be placed on the ground containing what ever was in inventory. 

(an interesting way to extend storage in a way)

[Vandle]

I DID try that, but one just refused to be picked up. Until it expired.
So a bugged drop maybe?
I was trying to swap hunter's backpacks for reed baskets 1 for 1, and my inventory was nowhere near full. Only after leaving the area and coming back could I even put the other 3 baskets in an inventory at all, they demanded to be equipped despite being emptied.

Edited April 15, 2025 by Vandle
Typo

[Maelstrom]

Each backpack slot maps to specific spots in your inventory.  The first basket maps to the first three inventory spaces in the top left of your inventory screen.  Having just one item in one of those three spaces will lead to the problem that when the basket is exchanged for a backpack, the item will still be in the basket.  It sounds like the basket with items dropped tot the ground as an entity and then despawned.  

Only two things to do about it now.  Cheat in said items, or take the lumps from the School of Hard Knocks and find another 40 nuggets of copper.

[Vandle]

Well thanks for elaborating on that one. Even if I'd had more experience with the game I'd probably not have figured that out.

[Maelstrom]

It got me the first time or three as well.  I am just hyper anal retentive about making sure I don't waste things (thanks mum and dad) that I figured things out when I couldn't pick up the old basket or linen bag.