Quote Originally Posted by Archangel
This is an interesting question, I'll give it a try. First off, let me say, nicely, that there's several concepts mixed up here. There's a short-bread tin concept of a skean dhu in a sock. So let's rule out that it's a necessary part of the kilt, it's mostly a myth that looks nice. There's the concept that it looks formal. You've already made your stand clear on dressing formal, so let's rule out the formal idea.
There's a traditional concept. It's a bit shaky, not fully researched, but my opinion is that there is something in it. So, let's stay with that one.
The tradition is that we, kiltiesna', carry concealed weapons. If and when we feel that we are in a safe place, we display the weapon out of courtesy to those around us. (I've heard some gobbledygook about left or right sock, never mind that, you show it or not.)
Here's where I'm going: nothing in any of your writings indicate that you are ever in a safe place except at home. According to tradition, you would never display it. You would be following tradition better by keeping it tucked away for certain situations, like Doc Hudson's custom apron holster. The principle would apply to any weapon.

What do I recommend you wear in your sock, you ask? I always think pens look sharp tucked in the top of a sock. A nice bic pen advertised to shoot through plywood. Years ago, when teaching university women self-defence, I was asked if I would recommend the young lady carrying a knife in her purse. We discussed the purse under her books, the knife in the bottom of her purse and all the possible legal stuff. (Understand in Canada, we were talking weapons which is not legal for me to advise, nor are any non-eating knives allowed on campus.) But, what is every student expected to carry that is pointed and hard. There's no legal challenge to carrying a pen but it is deadly enough with minimal training, or imagination. Both of which, I'm sure, you are already sufficient.
I like the look of a black knife in a sock. It looks proper with kilt hose.

However, being the ironclad pragmatist that I am, I refuse to wear anything that does not serve an actual purpose. If I wore a black knife, I would have to make sure that it was real. Functional. Practical. I am a slave to my ideals. I doubt my ability to wear an el-cheapo plastic fantastic stuffed in to my sock. It would bother me on some deep level that I fear I could not explain. I would view it as dead weight.

If you notice, with the knives that I have shown here on XMarks, that all have been practical. None of them fanciful. None of those quirky worthless fantasy knives that look all Klingon hunter killer Hollywood POS blades. My blades are simple, to the point, and most important, deadly. The Bumblebee and The Drinker are the real thing. They don't stay in a collectable case hanging on the wall. And I seriously doubt I could break with my tradition and have something worthless stuffed in my sock. I mean, how do I put this in the most simple of terms... What if I were in a situation where that knife in my sock had to earn it's name? Do you get my drift? God forbid I have a knife called "The Failure."

In a catalogue the other day, I found a collapsable baton. It compresses in to a 4 inch small compact tube of metal, and with the flick of a knob, extends to 20 inches. It's not to heavy, but it is a serviceable weapon for those trained to use clubs and batons. It's made from black enameled stainless steel, the same stuff they make the high grade Maglights from.

I could almost see me wearing something like that in my sock.