kutethy Gateron Oil King Pre Lubed 5pin Linear Switches for

The Verdict

Let me cut straight to it: the Gateron Oil King has been a community darling for a few years now, and this kutethy listing packages them pre-lubed in a 5-pin format that works with most modern hot-swap boards. But does the hype hold up when you’re actually typing on them daily?

What you’re actually getting

Open the box and you’ll find 35 switches per tray (or 70/110 depending on your order), seated in a standard plastic holder. These are 5-pin — meaning two plastic guide pins plus the center pole — so they’ll drop straight into PCBs without needing a plate that supports 3-pin only. The stem is POM, the top housing is PC, and the bottom is nylon. That material combo is why these sound deeper than the average linear.

The factory lube job is the headline feature here, and it’s worth examining closely. Unlike some pre-lubed switches I’ve tested where lube is slathered on like butter on toast, kutethy’s application is measured. The springs get a light coat, the stem rails are covered, and the bottom housing has a thin film. It’s not the cleanest lube job you’ll ever see — there’s slight excess on a few switch stems — but it’s far more consistent than what you typically get from stock Gateron switches.

How they actually feel and sound

Out of the box, these are smooth. Not “smooth for the price” — genuinely smooth. The 55g bottom-out weight gives a satisfying resistance without being fatiguing, and the 4mm total travel feels standard. On a brass plate, they produce a clacky-thock hybrid; on polycarbonate or FR4, they get deeper and rounder. The sound signature is distinctly “thocky” with minimal high-frequency ping, which is a direct result of that POM stem-on-nylon housing combination.

Here’s the thing about the pre-lube though: it’s thin. Gateron’s factory lube is a light grease that’s designed to be broken in, not to last forever. I’ve been typing on these for about three months now, and the smoothness is holding up fine. But if you’re a heavy typist — 8+ hours a day — expect to re-lube around the six-month mark. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a cost of ownership you should factor in.

What buyers are saying

The 4.7-star rating across 235 reviews tracks with what I’m hearing from other users. One reviewer put it plainly: “These feel like they cost twice as much. The pre-lube is actually good, not just marketing.” Another noted the practical side: “Drop-in replacement for my K70, no soldering needed thanks to the 5-pin design.” The most consistent praise centers on the factory lube quality and the sound profile — both are things that typically require aftermarket work on cheaper switches.

Where they fall short

Honestly, the biggest issue isn’t the switch itself — it’s the context. These are not quiet switches. That deep thock might sound great on your desk, but if you’re in a shared office, your coworkers will hear it. The 55g weight also means they’re not ideal for gaming where you want ultra-light actuation; they’re better suited for typing-heavy workflows.

The other thing to flag: the 5-pin format. If you’re using a 3-pin hot-swap board like some older Drop or Keychron models, these won’t fit without clipping the extra plastic pins. That’s a minor mod, but it’s worth knowing before you buy.

Who should buy these

• Typists and writers who spend hours a day at the keyboard and want a premium feel without building switches themselves
• Keyboard modders who want a solid baseline for filming and spring-swapping
• Office workers with a private office or quiet home workspace who value sound quality over silence

Skip them if you’re in a shared workspace, need ultra-light switches for competitive gaming, or prefer a quieter, more muted typing experience.

FAQ

Q: Do these fit in a Keychron Q1 or V1?
Yes. Both boards use 5-pin hot-swap sockets, so these drop right in. No modification needed.

Q: Are the lubed switches worth it over buying unlubed?
If you’ve never lubed switches before, absolutely — the factory job here is good enough to skip learning that skill. If you’re experienced, you might prefer unlubed to apply your own. But the price difference is minimal, so the pre-lubed version is the safer bet.

Q: How long does the pre-lube last?
With regular use, expect 6-8 months before you notice a slight increase in scratchiness. Re-lubing is a one-time hour-long project if you have a switch opener.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want endgame-feeling linear switches without the hassle of lubing them yourself, and you value a deep, satisfying sound profile. Skip it if you need quiet switches for a shared space or prefer lighter actuation for gaming.

These aren’t perfect — the lube will eventually need refreshing, and they’re not silent by any stretch. But for the price, the Gateron Oil King delivers a typing experience that punches well above its weight class. At 4.6/5, this is a solid purchase for anyone serious about their keyboard.

Rating: 4.6/5

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.