I bought a Honda with what appeared to be an engine on it's way out, it was hard to pull. The bbc was clogged with grass, I cleaned it out, replaced a rough bearing and it now works great.
They do require some maintenance and make belt replacement more time consuming but I would not have zone start now.

A little thinking on your part and i think you can come up with something to hold the blade brake handle back while you empty the catcher bag! But--if you cut off yer foot or hand, etc. you won't be able to sue the manufacturer for designing a hazardous machine.
Those infuriating handles and cut-offs seem to have been designed by the Devil, but in reality, they are installed to keep folks from amputations, etc, caused by dumb moves! And also, so the manufacturers have an out from the frivolous law-suits, too.
Just try holding back the blade brake, while you take off the bag to empty it--------

1. Unnecessary mechanical complication
2. Added weight
3. Added maintenance
4. Added initial cost

Its so logical and safe to just drop the engine/blade control bail before leaving the mower or removing the bag or mulch plug, and so easy to restart 99.9% of mowers in good condition.

I actually cut the blade brake mechanism off on some of my mowers. On Duraforce Lawn-Boy mowers they make an awful sound so I chop the thing off. On some mowers I make a lock to hold the handle in place making it easy to pick up twigs etc.
I can see where blade brakes would help Meth-heads who are so hyper they want to remove and sharpen their mower blade before the dang engine stops.

I disabled the brake on one engine, the machine I installed it on was not equipped with a control. Took the toe of my boot and a piece of flesh the first time I used it mowing a ditch. Yeah I knew better, shoulda used the trimmer.

Quality BBC units are dependable, but do add weight. How much depends on the manufacturer. You will just need to compare. Back when I was retailing, I would suggest key start if the operator had concerns dealing with the starting the unit many times. Again, one must balance the weight of the two options. A good key start is dependable as well.If there are no physical concerns on repeatably starting- know that many of the OHV/ OHC engines out there pull very easy and start great.

Guess I was just talking about the blade brake type they all have. Not the type with a clutch.