Which pencil trick? I know of two different types
If you are working with a rather moist sounding singer or Sylvester the Cat, you can actually run two mics, one out of phase...(keep that one muted until editing time), and edit it so it only a small part comes up at the the most offending sections....the phase reversal will only affect the offending section, and only in moderation.
Or, just get the best VST ever invented for sibilance from the DigitalFishPhones web site...its free, and still the best one out there.....(note: an upgraded version of Spitfish is included in Samplitude now, but it is not as effective...)
One could argue that a sidechain compressor would be the best "solution"...
Thuffering Thuccotash!