Adjustable Razor--To Oil or Not?

[Hirsute]

I've read different advice on whether to oil adjustable razors. I recently purchased a super adjustable, so I'm wondering whether I should oil it or even soak it in oil (I've read of folks soaking the fat boys in mineral oil after a cleaning)? If oil, what kind do you recommend?

[mblakele]

Not. They were designed to work without lubrication. A sticky adjustable or TTO is probably just full of dried-up shaving crud, and a long soak in warm water and dishsoap will fix that.

[Haiku]

Oil it and you do nothing but create a crud magnet that will gum up the razor.

There are lots of good deals on stuck razors particularly adjustables. Guys who oiled and then gummed up their razors are a great source of cheap razors.

[celestino]

i read a thread where it recommends to NOT oil your TTO as the shaving residue from the soap or cream will lubricate it through use.

[Hirsute]

Thanks gents. I'll keep the lube out of my razors and where it belongs.

[Krona Kruiser]

Well, it depends. I wouldn't lubricate the adjustment mechanism but would and have lubricated the silo door hinges and the actual bottom knob of the handle. Here's my reasoning. Many times, it's the doors and the knob that sound squeeky and make you suspicious about the adjustment dial but if these areas are lubricated it smooths out those mechanisms. I use mineral oil and add drops with a pipet on the hinges. I let the razor handle soak in a small cup of mineral oil for a few hours and use scrubbing bubbles to remove the greasiness of the oil. Mineral oil doesn't break down like food cooking oil and after many uses, the shaving cream and soap displaces the oil anyways.