I'm self-taught, which means book learning supplemented by experiment corrected by much help from forum. Great fun, but self learning leaves a multitude of gaps!
Is there a good reason for threading up to a shoulder?
My reading suggests, and what I've always done, is to start by turning down the blank (hex or round stock), to thread diameter and then cutting a slot as deep as the thread at the shoulder with a parting tool. This creates start or finish space for the threading tool and much reduces the chance of a collision.
I don't believe the slot makes any difference to bolt strength, so why not always make one?
On the subject of collisions, I always thread away from the chuck in reverse like Jason. Possibly I learned the trick from him! However, reverse threading isn't a good idea if you're unfortunate enough to own a lathe with a screw-on chuck…
Dave