A recoil starter includes a base plate that has a bearing portion formed therein and a rotary shaft that is supported by the bearing portion so as to pass through the base plate. A rope reel is rotatably supported at one side of the base plate, and a recoil rope is wound around the rope reel. A recoil spiral spring urges the rope reel to rewind the recoil rope. A damper spring has one end connected to the rotary shaft and the other end connected to the rope reel, and a clutch mechanism is disposed on an end of the rotary shaft at the other side of the base plate. The clutch mechanism transfers a rotational force to an engine.