Not the pawl.
It probably just isn't the raise in compression. Most likely someone also put in a cam and a flywheel with more advance.
A Big culprit is a cam without a compression release. If you are going to pull start it, make sure you have a compression release. Also make sure your valves are adjusted right. If you have too much lash clearance on the exhaust valve, the compression relief mechanism won't lift the valve enough on the compression stroke.
Advanced timing can cause it to pull the rope out of your hand too. Add advanced timing and more compression and yeah, the rope can get pulled from your hand.
One way to help you start it is too slowly rotate it so you are at TDC on the compression stroke, THEN pull hard and fast.
That gives you and the flywheel a little run at the next compression stroke.
I've had the rope ripped from my hands and thought it broke fingers or tore things in my hand before. No fun. That was a 5 hp Briggs with a cam without a compression release, (SS94 I believe). Anyway, I took it out and put a stock cam in it. No more issues.
Danford1