I got this to replace an air tool that wasn't strong enough. It doesn't seem to falter at all and seems to have gotten quieter. I don't know if it has a "soft start" feature per se, but it does NOT twitch in your hand when starting, even with a 3" blade, and it really gives you a sense of control. It's not as heavy on the hand as I thought it would be, but be aware it's more than expected. It is in fact slightly heavier than an air tool. The ergonomics are good and I really like the feel of the rubber body. On the other hand, I would have preferred a spindle lock system to a two key system, but I can live with that. If you think about it, the light weight of a grinder really makes it a lot handier than a light air tool. This thing is very nice to use.