If the PSE were actually something like a Samick Verna, that would be something to look into.
But apart from the mass of the riser probably being a bit much for smaller kids, I think if I wanted a good, cheap bow.. I'd probably drop the extra $18 and get a low-poundage Sage.
And given the choice… Because I am in this market myself…
Cost permitting, I would go with one of the American bowyers mentioned by Up North first. My younger son has a Black Rhino 48-L, #15@22", and it has been just excellent for him ever since he was five years old and so little that his 18" belt quiver would just about drag on the ground behind him. Now he's 11 1/2, stands about 4' 4", and he's ready to go up a size or so.
So, yes… My sympathies lie with Buy American, but the reality is that while the few American bowyers would probably welcome the additional business, there may well be a market out there for their products which they could never supply. Or at least there would be… If more people could afford the prices that they need to charge in order to make it a going proposition.
Catch-22.
Anyway, I count myself very fortunate because although my sons are always talking about some new video gaming system, when I asked them "Would you rather have a Nintendo, or a bow?".... So far, at least, archery is winning!
Just a matter of priorities… I remember about 20 years ago when Bell helmets had an ad campaign out featuring this question: "Does your kid have $60 sneakers and a $30 head?"
It is kind of a bummer, though, to think that people "can't afford" an American- made bow for their kids, but the kid has an iPhone, his own computer, his own TV set, $60 bluejeans and $100 shoes... gets even worse when you realize that some of those products were probably manufactured by a 12-year-old with a six day a week factory job...
