I inherited my grandfathers tools and noticed that most of them were Peck Stow & Wilcox (PS&W, Pexto) tools. He worked for the Southington Hardware Co. and had a few Sohaco tools also. I expanded the PS&W tools and eventually started to add HD Smith (Perfect handle) tools to the collection.
Then I found Tool Talk (and GG). That lead me to start collecting more mechanic tools beyond my daily user Craftsman sets.
I now haunt the flea markets for any of the better quality US produced tools, SK, Plumb, Proto, Williams, etc.