Whats a good tapering tool for wood to start out with?

Simple pencil sharpener style if you are using POC. If you plan on using spruce or hardwood's I would suggets a belt sander. The pencil sharpener style splinters those.

I use a belt sander and a jig that I made myself that clamps down to the table on my belt sander. Jig has angles set for 5deg. and 11deg. and works great.
I have never owned a tapering tool of any kind before.

Just starting out I'd suggest the pencil sharpener type for cheap.
  taper tool

Later you'll probably want to get/make a taper "grinder" which is the fastest, most versatile and most accurate taper method.

I've made and shot away thousands of arrows that were tapered with pencil sharpener type taper tools. So don't think you are handicapping yourself going the cheap way.

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3Feathers, when I send your shafts Mon. I will send you a taper tool.  George