So do you prefer to taper the nock and point first,then dip. or do you like to dip and then taper?
I have always-ed dipped and then tapered and find it a pain in the rear.Now I have 2-dozen shafts to do and I am thinking of tapering first and the dipping.Your thoughts please

I started out dipping then tapering, now I taper then dip and will probably continue that way. I like the fact that bare wood doesn't have the chance to being exposed around the nock edges and I just think it looks better. I'm not the most experienced arrow builder but I'm getting better and have made several dozen now and for me that's what works.

I do the nock taper, dip, and then cut to length and taper for the point.
The nock taper gets coated with finish but it's not a big deal to cut that off.

Guy

I was taught to taper both ends then stain then dip the shafts.  If you taper last, you run the chance of tapering further than can be covered up by the nock or point, which would make for an ugly arrow in my opinion.

Not to mention, it is called a finish for a reason.  If the taper was to be the last thing done, they would call it the finish, not the taper.    

For myself I nock taper then cut to length and point taper then stain (if I'm going to),crown, crest and finish (seal). Works well for me.

Joe

I have always dipped with the nock end taper,then cut and taper the point end to my length after tuning.

I know the answer, I just don't do it.

In fact I can't remember the last time I thought "How can I torture myself today? Oh yeah let me build some arrows!"...lol

The answer is: taper... then dip... protect all wood whenever possible.

God bless,Mudd

Taper then dip. I use the old pencil sharpener style so the dipped end wont fit without scraping.