simply not so. 125mm long pliers (5" for the metrically challenged) can fit made in Germany; as illustrated:

True. The handle of the Cobra offers enough place.
But not all pliers have enough room as you will see later with an example.
their sheet metal crimpers, their new scissors, the screwdrivers and certain other tools are not labelled with coo

True. I only meant pliers, but forgot about those.
And for the sheet metal crimpers: They lack the COO. I looked myself today to make sure.
But I still say that Germany and Made in Germany is equivalent for Knipex pliers.
Same plier, different finish.
Germany on the head and on the handle.
Germany on the head and Made in Germany on the handle.
Other examples for pliers and full Made in Germany:
Tiny one but full sentence on the handle.
On metal and on the handle.
Germany only:
COO on the metal part.
And, sadly, no COO: