I know that Keen Cutter stuff is highly collectible, but I'm wondering why.  What is the fascination about a hardware store's brand name?

I've been thinking about it especially because I picked up an alligator wrench on eBay :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230783571047?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

It was minutes away from ending, and no bids, so I bid the $.99 and it was mine.  It's actually better in person
than in the picture.  Scrubbing off the tarnish and rust,  I found a faint mark (not rubbed away, just a bad strike)
and to my amazement, the mark was Simmons Keen Kutter. 

My step son shaves with a Keen Kutter straight razor, and my old meat grinder is a Keen Kutter.  They work well,
but I don't get the collector frenzy.

Ask these guys- http://www.thckk.org/ The Hardware Companies Kollectors Klub (THCKK)

 

I took a look at the link above and followed the links to look at some of the fake Winchester items, particularly locks. It is amazing how much effort has been expended to make some of these things. I then went to ebay to test my knowledge and, sure enough, there were at the very least, 2 clear examples of one of the fake Winchester locks for sale on the first page and several other suspect ones as well as many suspect miscellaneous items. Both of the locks were the "Winchester Six Lever" ones, and they had pretty high asking prices. I then took a look at the completed listings, and it appears the buyers are wise to the trick. The fakes go for about $20, and the only 'real' one looks like it went for about $200.
I am glad I have no interest in the 'high end' marketplace. It's dangerous.

I like Winchester guns, but a Winchester spatula?

Hey Boss! The Bandits are a comin!!

Quick! Grab the Winchester!

OK Boss...Got it!

OK, Now whip up some grits!