In reply to AndyC:
> (In reply to lukeanoble)
> [...]
>
> You certainly can, whether you should lubricate something that requires a piece of nylon to maintain a firm grip on the inside of a slippery aluminium tube is another question... don't do it - it'll end in tears!
Probably literally as your collapsing pole catapults you off the boulder you're standing on and into the stream you are in the middle of crossing! I've had that happen even without the help of oil in the tube.