Cut Fletching at front or back?

[Nomis]

I have decided to try fletching my arrows with 4 feathers. I only have 5" feathers on hand and was going to cut them down to 4". Should I cut off the front or the back of the feather?

[Greg Dearth]

If I was going to do that I would cut the front .

[the rifleman]

You could go either way.  If you don't have a burner or chopper and don't wish to reshape them cutting from the front might be easier--you can then blend taper with scissors.  I have seen guys make templates out of cardboard etc. and cut around them, or something fire proof--(tin) and use propane torch to burn them.

[JRY309]

I've cut them on both ends,just depends on what I'm looking for.Sometimes I'll cut the back end and leave like a Pope and Young cut.Sometimes I'll cut the front end and then burn the taper down to the shaft if I want to keep the parabolic shape.I usally do this sometimes when I make up some youth arrows.When you trim feathers with scissors I'll use blue painters tape.Put alittle tape on what you want to cut.The tape will hold the feathers in place as you cut and just peels off easily.