Highly collectible limited editions produced in Germany sell for several hundred dollars each. Written By: Sandy Erdman | × Nutcracker collector Polly Johnson, of Utica, with some of her collection. (Contributed photo) The nutcracker, a functional tool that has advanced from probably a rock. Through the centuries, man has applied ingenuity, imagination and engineering to come up with some unique pieces. Not just pliers, but some really unique beautifully decorated nutcrackers found in figure forms of cast or wooden carved. Some in shapes of birds, animals or people. Many nutcrackers are either lever or screw-type, made of brass or wood. The simple hand-squeezed nutcracker that can be found in my kitchen drawer is more like the lever style.