As others have stated, and as you have referred to yourself, Solingen is a city with a long and rich tradition and history in making cutlery. And it's still home to quite a lot of such manufacturers today, especially when considering it's size (around only 150.000 inhabitants).
But what is really special about Solingen is the German "Regulation for the Protection of the Name Solingen" (Solingenverordnung) which specifies in it's 1st article
A translation of the full regulation into English can be found here:
Regulation for the Protection of the Name Solingen - IHK Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid
The characteristics (minimum requirements) are further specified in a separate regulation which you can find here:
Minimum Requirements for the Solingen Qualification - IHK Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid
So, as you can see it's not only history and tradition: if you buy a cutlery item marked with "Solingen", it was made there (OK, at least in all major stages) and is of a high level of quality.
And it's a lovely town too and also home to the fantastic "German Blade Museum" :D.
I've been to Solingen several times, have visited Meister Wacker in his home and workshop and have also been at several of the many, and often small, local manufacturers.
Strangely enough, my wife and two teenage daughters never want to accompany me on my trips there :shrug: ;).
Cheers
Jörg