Correct. I should have said 4-pair UTP punchdown blocks, rather than use ethernet for shorthand. These types of blocks are actually used in ethernet applications however. For instance a Category 6 patch panel is covered with these buggers on the back, and RJ-45 ports immediately opposite them. Obviously you could not use them for an in-line splice though. The main concern for maintaining twist as long as possible is for noise rejection. In application in a residence however, there's not a lot of noise to be concerned with.
Even so, there's never a good excuse to be lazy in your terminations. I'm personally quite anal, so I agree with you

Good call on checking into what's available at my local BLOWES. I could possibly find something to hack on the cheap.
Im surprised these are not readily available for PCB mounting however.