Scharnhorst and Gneisenau received Germany's best available armor and were repeatedly risked in major operations before Bismarck's loss changed the climate around capital-ship employment. They took part in Norway, attempted Atlantic breakouts more than once before completing Operation Berlin, and later made the Channel Dash. Bismarck's celebrated but brief sortie contrasts with ships that repeatedly went to sea and generated operational effects over a longer period. Their later Arctic convoy operations and Scharnhorst's final deployment extended that active record. Operational value here is measured through repeated service and the enemy effort provoked, not through reputation alone.
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The Kriegsmarine's working capital ships
Norway, repeated Atlantic breakout attempts, Operation Berlin, and the Channel Dash gave Scharnhorst and Gneisenau a much fuller operational record than Bismarck.