A recoil starter includes a case; a reel pivot formed on the case; a rope reel rotatably supported on the reel pivot; a recoil spring; a cam; a power storage spring interposed between the rope reel and the cam; and a power storage ratchet mechanism disposed between facing surfaces of the rope reel and the cam and. The power storage ratchet mechanism is configured to disengage the rope reel and the cam when the rope reel rotates in an engine-starting direction, and engage the rope reel and the cam when the rope reel rotates in an opposite direction to the engine-starting direction.