I was at Target and was looking at the dollar item at the front of the store. I saw some $1 bottle openers with different color handles. I looked at them for possible cores. Then I noticed that the black ones didn't look to bad to begin with. The back is flat and the front has a nice side-to-side curve. It is an excellent shape for a sgian "blank."

They are solid plastic, which is hard enough to "hold-up," but soft enough to carve with tools.
I'll get pics up after I mess with one of them a bit.

This post is more of a "heads-up" for ya'll who want SOMETHING in the sock that isn't bladed and on a strict budget.

The "stock" handle with a bit of black Kylon Fusion paint should look decent enough for casual usage. It is a decent base for an even better one with basic carving.