I've never used the petroleum jelly method, I carry one of the small spray containers of bug juice that you can buy at any sport retailers as well as wal-mart, maybe 3.5" long x 1/2" in diameter. One or two small squirts is all you need and catches the spark instantly. The bug juice slips in easily into a front side knife pouch/pocket or other small areas in a bag and than of couse serves its other purpose as well.