The CNC programming is canned / on disk. Insert disk / download program. Done. Once written and de-bugged, its yours until lost or corrupted. (Back-ups are essential.) The $$$ goes to developing/de-bugging a NEW CNC program.
THE FOLLOWING IS A SEMI-EDUCATED W.A.G. An abrasive water jet to cut the blanks from INFI plate stock. Mill the main bevel, (Saber, flat, partial or full convex). Actually grind the cutting edge. Prep blade for finish. (DC/BB and Satin: More prep, more time, more $.) Heat/cryo treat/temper the blade. Different time exposures for different sized and different thickness blades. Finish the blade. Blank,mill and install handle slabs.
The $$$ for customs comes from the relative amount of time required for each knife. If you have to re-set the CNC program, the blade jig(s), the mill cutting head/bit,etc. each time you "grind" a knife, it is much more time consuming and expensive per knife than if you can do that set-up once, then run 100 or 1000. (Even more fun ($$) if they have to (if they can?) cut new blanks.) Its just a matter of inserting a new blank when the mill has finished the present one.
All that having been said, If Jerry and Garth will agree to a "group order", you folks might well be able to get a significant discount on the usual Custom Shop price. But.... I wouldn't expect Knob Creek prices as I believe that Jerry used that to motivate folks to actually go to these shows, instead of reading descriptions, viewing photos, and waiting for Ganzaaaaas, Grumpy old cynic that I am. Good idea, good luck, have fun. Pete