Tools Comparison: Cable Stripper vs All-In-One Tool

Written by Don Schultz, Senior Technical Marketing Specialist, Fluke Networks Certified Copper/Fiber CCTT, BICSI TECH, INSTC, INSTF Certified

There are a plethora of tools available on the market for working with communications cable (coaxial cable, Ethernet cable, etc.). Some are dedicated tools for a single task, where other tools perform multiple tasks. Do you need a dedicated cable stripper if your 8P8C (aka RJ45) all in one crimp tool also strips? Perhaps! When building up a tool kit, a common question is which tools will provide the most benefit for the least investment and which are better for the task at hand. This guide compares trueCABLE's MULTISTRIP and trueCRIMP v3 side by side so you know exactly which one (or both) fits your job.

NOTE: The term “Ethernet” has become conflated over time with copper twisted pair Category cable. Many people use the terms interchangeably, since Cat5 and above copper cabling was purpose designed for Ethernet signaling. In actuality, Ethernet is a protocol that can run across fiber and coaxial as well. This blog will use the “Ethernet” interchangeably for clarity, despite not being technically 100% accurate.

Meet the Tools

The MULTISTRIP Cable Stripping & Cutting Tool

The trueCABLE cable strip tool is dedicated to cutting and stripping both Ethernet and coaxial cable types. This tool can handle any thickness of Ethernet cable and Series 6 through Series 11 coaxial cable. That said, this tool has no ability to terminate end connectors onto any cable type. As a side note, this strip tool is particularly useful for thin cable jacket stripping, due to the Ethernet strip cavity “infinite” adjustment capability.

The trueCRIMP All-in-One Crimp and Termination Tool (v3 Revised)

The trueCABLE AIO crimp tool is exclusively focused on Ethernet cable. The tool is designed to cut, strip, and terminate the golden contacts on 8P8C (aka RJ45) male plug connectors. This AIO tool has no ability to strip or terminate coaxial cable of any type, although the built-in cable cutter can cut coaxial cable (not copper clad steel conductor coax, however).

What They Have in Common

These two tools have some functions in common, but there are nuances that we will discuss later. Here is the commonality:

• Both tools can cut any communications cable type up to 8.0mm
• Both tools can strip Ethernet cable jackets (with limitations and exceptions)
• Both tools are meant for in-field use by installers

Both tools cut Ethernet or coaxial equally well (above) and both tools also strip Ethernet cable jacks (two pictures below)

Fully adjustable Ethernet cable jacket stripper on MULTISTRIP

Limited range cable stripper on the all-in-one crimp tool

The commonality stops there. The real value is in their differences!

The Cable Stripper — MULTISTRIP

Advantages

• Dual use design handles both Ethernet cable scoring/stripping and coaxial cable stripping and cutting in one tool — useful for installers who work across both cable types
• Fully adjustable strip cavity which accommodates a range of cable jacket thicknesses, from thin to thick jackets, without needing multiple tools for different cable thicknesses
• Also handles fiber distribution jacket stripping — extending its use beyond copper communications cable into fiber preparation work
• Best suited for installers who want precision control over the strip depth and who work with a variety of cable types and jacket thicknesses on the same job

Reversible and replaceable coaxial stripping cassette on MULTISTRIP

Limitations

• Not designed for termination of any cable type — it strips and cuts only
• You'll need a separate crimping tool (or the all-in-one) to complete the termination process
• “Strip” cavity that places a score on the cable jacket does not automatically adjust, therefore getting a good and proper score on the cable jacket (without under or over cutting) is a trial and error process

The All-In-One Tool — trueCRIMP v3

Advantages

• Reduces tool load on the job: a single tool handles scoring, stripping, and crimping copper twisted pair (aka Ethernet) cable to 8P8C (aka RJ45) connectors, which means less tools to carry and more importantly, fewer tools to switch between during a termination
• Automatically adjusts the score blade for the cable thickness (within a limited range) so getting a proper score on the cable jacket prior to stripping is not a trial and error process like may be experienced with the MULTISTRIP

Limitations

• The SCORE function has a minimum jacket thickness requirement — it cannot reliably score certain thin-jacketed cables
• Score function compatibility range is 6.0 to 8.0mm. For example, trueCABLE’s Cat5e Unshielded Riser cable is too thin-jacketed for the SCORE cavity to work properly. For cables like this, the MULTISTRIP is required instead.
• Will not crimp or assist with stripping coaxial cable — the trueCRIMP v3 is Ethernet-focused only, unlike the dual-purpose MULTISTRIP

Although the “Score” cavity on the all-in-one crimp and termination tool is limited to 6.0 to 8.0mm, this happens to be the common range that Cat6 Unshielded Riser and very thick Cat6A Shielded Plenum cable thicknesses fall into.

Which Tool Should You Buy?

We have covered quite a few strengths and weaknesses of these two tools. Here is a practical and easy to follow reference table:

* Fiber optical cable cutting requires Kevlar shears due to the aramid yarn strength member. Similarly, a precision specialized fiber optic strip tool is required to strip the plastic coatings from individual fiber optical glass strands.
** Thin sound and security cable (such as 22 gauge) is too thin even for the Cut and Strip Tool. Use the rip cord inside the jacket instead.

• If you work primarily with standard Cat6 Unshielded Riser Ethernet cable (or thicker up to 8.0mm) and want to minimize your tool count, the trueCRIMP v3 alone may cover your needs
• If you work with thin-jacketed cables (like Cat5e Unshielded Riser), coaxial cable, or fiber distribution jacket, you need the MULTISTRIP
• trueCABLE’s recommendation is that most professional installers benefit from having both — the all-in-one tool for fast, standard terminations, and the cable stripper for edge cases the all-in-one can't handle. Together they cover virtually every job scenario except for fiber optic cable.

Additional Information

Please note that the “STRIP” label has changed to “SCORE” on the trueCABLE All-In-One Crimp and Termination Tool. Tool functionality has NOT changed, but a clarification has been made due to in-field cable preparation mistakes.

Upon release of the older v3 tool with “STRIP” printed on it, we found from customer feedback and returns tools that many installers were not preparing their Ethernet cable correctly. The idea is to score the cable jacket and break it at the score, and then remove the piece of cable jacket by hand. Customers were using the tool itself to remove the cable jacket, which caused plastic build-up on the thin score blade inside the cavity and even damaged score blades in more severe cases. This often necessitates replacing the tool, as the score blade is NOT replaceable.

Using the SCORE cavity incorrectly (e.g., attempting to pull cable through it rather than scoring and then removing the jacket) can damage the cable or the tool!

Conclusion

So there you have it! These two tools compliment each other--they do not compete. Both tools cover gaps the other doesn't. For installers who want to be prepared for any cable type or jacket thickness they encounter in the field, carrying both is the safest bet when working with copper communications cable.

HAPPY NETWORKING!!

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