Typically the Kirby Lausons are mechanically quite solid, but not especially nice to use. I found mine rather hard to start, plus its carburetor tended to need some TLC more often than I expected. Once, it spat back and set fire to its air cleaner element - I was quite tempted to let the engine burn. Compared with an old English engine I'd say the Lauson is probably better, but compared with a Briggs it is like driving a Lada instead of a Commodore.
Old Russian joke: The Lada is actually made by the KGB. "We haf vays of making you valk".
