Bulking is a term used by stickmakers to squeeze and compress horns. A large section of a sheep or cow horn is hollow. In order to make a handle for a stick the hollow section has to "Bulked" to make it solid so that it can be securly attached to a shank. Sheeps horns are often tightly curled and have convex and a concaved sides which cause problems when "Bulking" them. Cow horns are more symetrical than a sheep but have a larger hollow section. Good quality horns are becoming more difficult to obtain for various reasons; many breeds of sheep and cattle no longer grow horns and older animals that do grow horns are often destroyed at a young age. Horns from older animals are best for stickdressers. In order to "Bulk" a horn succesfully some form of press is required, over many years stickdressers have developed many different types of presses. Mine is based on a tried and tested design.
