A recoil starter is disclosed which enables a ratchet member (8) to be manufactured at a reduced cost and which is capable of obtaining a sufficient strength and reducing a size and weight thereof without increasing a thickness of a rope reel (4) and the like. The ratchet members (8) are mounted on the rope reel (4) so as to engage with a control member (15) that is rotatably attached to a reel shaft (2) with a rotational resistance imparted thereto, so that the ratchet members (8) are turned radially outwardly to engage with a drive pulley (11), to thereby allow the drive pulley to rotate integrally with the rope reel (4). The ratchet members (8) are each formed of a rod material having a circular section by bending the material and are each pivotally supported on a side surface of the rope reel (4).