Knipex 97 51 13 Review: The RJ45 Crimper Built for Thousands of Terminations

When you're terminating hundreds of RJ45 connectors on a large structured cabling project, the difference between a quality crimper and a cheap one becomes painfully obvious. The Knipex 97 51 13 is a German-engineered all-in-one tool that aims to be the last RJ45 crimper you'll ever buy. But at $66+, is it worth nearly double the price of competitors?

After examining this tool against the competition and gathering feedback from techs who use it daily, here's what you need to know.

Quick Verdict

The Knipex 97 51 13 is a premium-grade RJ45 crimping tool that excels at producing consistent, reliable terminations. Its parallel crimp mechanism and dual crimping points deliver even pressure every time, making it ideal for techs doing high-volume work. However, it does not support pass-through connectors, which may be a dealbreaker for some.

Rating: 4.5/5 — Best for high-volume traditional RJ45 crimping

Who This Is For (And Who Should Skip It)

Buy it if you:

• Terminate 20+ RJ45 connectors per week
• Work primarily with standard (non-pass-through) connectors
• Value consistent crimps over hundreds of terminations
• Need a tool that handles both shielded and unshielded connectors
• Do commercial structured cabling, data center work, or telecom closet installations

Skip it if you:

• Use pass-through EZ-RJ45 connectors exclusively
• Only make occasional patch cables at home
• Need to crimp RJ11/RJ12 phone connectors (get the 97 51 10 instead)
• Are on a tight budget — cheaper alternatives work fine for light use

Key Features That Actually Matter

All-in-One Design

The Knipex 97 51 13 combines three functions in one tool: cable cutting, jacket stripping, and crimping. The integrated blade handles both operations, so you're not fumbling for separate tools when you're up on a ladder in a ceiling plenum.

Parallel Crimp Mechanism

Unlike cheaper crimpers that apply uneven pressure, the Knipex uses a parallel crimping action with dual contact points. This ensures all eight pins receive equal force, producing consistent terminations that pass certification every time.

Self-Releasing Ratchet

The ratchet mechanism locks during the crimp cycle and only releases once full pressure is applied. This prevents incomplete crimps from technician fatigue — a common problem during long termination sessions.

Adjustable Plug Retainer

The retaining bracket adjusts to accommodate different RJ45 plug styles, including both closed and open-body housings. This flexibility means you're not locked into one connector brand.

Real-World Performance

When terminating jacks in a cramped telecom closet, the 7.5-inch length provides enough leverage without being unwieldy in tight spaces. The multi-component grip feels secure even during extended sessions when your hands start to sweat.

After six months of daily use on commercial job sites, techs report the rubber overmold shows scuffs but the grip hasn't degraded. The chrome vanadium steel construction holds up to the abuse of being tossed in a tool bag alongside everything else.

The stripper blade requires some technique — you need to rotate the cable rather than just squeeze and pull. Once you get the motion down, it strips the outer jacket cleanly without nicking the internal conductors. Compared to standalone strippers, it's a minor learning curve but eliminates carrying an extra tool.

One limitation becomes apparent when working with premium shielded connectors: the single strain relief crimp works fine for most applications, but some heavy-duty shielded plugs benefit from the two-stage crimp process that dedicated shielded crimpers offer.

What I Like (Pros)

• Consistent crimps every time — The parallel mechanism and ratchet lock eliminate the guesswork that plagues cheaper tools
• Dual crimping points — Equal pressure across all pins means fewer failed terminations and less rework
• Handles shielded and unshielded — One tool covers both connector types for most commercial work
• Built to last — Chrome vanadium steel construction survives years of daily job site abuse
• Ergonomic grip — Multi-component handles reduce fatigue during high-volume termination sessions
• Replaceable blade available — Part 97 51 E01 means you don't need a whole new tool when the cutter dulls

What Could Be Better (Cons)

• No pass-through support — If you use EZ-RJ45 or similar pass-through connectors, this tool won't work for you
• Premium price — At $66+, it costs nearly double what comparable Klein or Platinum tools run
• Learning curve on stripper — The rotation technique takes a few tries to master compared to dedicated strippers
• RJ45 only — Unlike the 97 51 10, this model doesn't handle RJ11/RJ12 phone connectors
• Made in Taiwan — Despite the German engineering, manufacturing is overseas (though quality remains high)

Specifications

Specification	Value
Model	97 51 13
Length	7.5" (191 mm)
Weight	12.2 oz (345 g)
Connector Type	RJ45 (8P8C) only
Cable Types	Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a (shielded/unshielded)
Material	Chrome vanadium electric steel, oil-hardened
Finish	Burnished (black oxide)
Handle	Multi-component ergonomic grip
Crimp Type	Parallel crimp with dual contact points
Release	Self-releasing ratchet mechanism
Country of Origin	Taiwan
Warranty	Knipex lifetime warranty

Is It Worth the Price?

Here's the math: A $25 generic crimper that creates 1 failed termination out of 20 costs you time, materials, and potential callback expenses. At commercial rates, just two or three callbacks eat up that $40 savings.

The Knipex 97 51 13 makes sense if you're terminating 50+ cables per week. The consistent crimps mean fewer failed certification tests, less rework, and more confidence when handing off a completed install. For weekend warriors making the occasional patch cable, it's overkill.

One caveat: if pass-through connectors are your standard workflow, the Klein VDV226-110 or Platinum Tools 100054C are better choices despite their lower build quality. The Knipex only works with traditional flush-cut connectors.

The Bottom Line

The Knipex 97 51 13 is a buy-once, cry-once investment for professional structured cabling work. Its parallel crimp mechanism, ratchet lock, and premium construction deliver the kind of consistent terminations that pass certification without callbacks. The tool feels solid, the crimps are reliable, and it'll likely outlast several cheaper alternatives.

Just make sure you're not committed to pass-through connectors before pulling the trigger.

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