The mixture control in the aircraft I have a share in looks absolutely ancient. To my knowldge no-one has every attempted to lean the engine using it. I have only ever seen it in the Full Rich and Idle Cut-off positons. It is not operated via a vernier control, and the action is not smooth. The aircraft does not have an electric starter, and so if the mixture is leaned too aggressively and the engine cuts out, the result would be somewhat unpredictable.
So do I attempt to use it, and if so, is there some technique I can use to minimise the risk of reaching a point where the engine stops? Or do I just accept that this aircraft is always going to be thirsty?