We use the Applegate/Fairbairn rubber replicas, and are currently looking into the "no-lie blades", which have a magic-marker type surface along both edges and the tip. Wearing a white tee shirt, you can then engage in a knife drill and see exactly how and where each participant was cut or stabbed. Once the funds are raised, they offer a training set of two blades and coloring sticks (like lipstick) for the blade edges.
www.nolieblades.com
These are recommended by the Vunaks and many other highly respected knife instructors.
By the way, I agree with the "run if you can" technique!
Lee