I wouldn't say 'above ridicule.' Sometimes the German stuff is ridiculed for being "too complicated" or "overengineered." Or because "hey, why aren't the Germans perfect?" But I think I'd have to point out two things:
1. I have on more than one occasion borrowed a tool from my dad or a friend, thought "darn, this is really good" and when I've looked on it for a brand or marking have found an obscure private label and the words "Made in Germany." I think that says something when even contract produced items that are not part of 'brand image' strategies are noticeably well made and functional.
2. In manufacturing the small cleanup operations can be quite expensive, especially when using high-cost German labor. I would kind of see it as a positive that really good bits and handles are available at a moderate price, and minor flash and packaging were what was compromised to keep the cost low, not offshoring to cheaper labor, or using inferior steel.
I wouldn't say it's a 100% guarantee, I do have a set of extractors that were German made that I'd give a fail, but I'd say that I see a much stronger correlation between the quality and the COO with Germany than anywhere else, YMMV.
