At least part of the answer to your question would depend upon whether the knife in question was a folder, or a full tang fixed blade. This is the case for sure when the damascus was purchased from someone like Devin Thomas. He charges a significant sum by the inch for his damascus. For FBs, every inch of the tang adds x amount to the material cost of the knife. On average, would say that a tang adds well over $100. A maker wouldn't be fair to himself/herself if that cost wasn't passed along to the customer.
Not too long ago, I read something, probably on Shop Talk forum, about the cost of a knife blade made from ATS34. I'm sure I bookmarked it, but haven't the time to search for it now. (Someday, will learn the search function of bookmarks on my browser, and at least occasionally exhibit the illusion of efficiency.) Point is, am fairly certain that it was below the cost of 1" of Devin Thomas damascus. So, if 4-5" of damascus was used, even for a folder blade, you're talking $100 +/- for material costs. Of course that has to be reflected in the price.
I would hazard a guess that in the case of the bladesmiths, that damascus might not add so much to the cost as for a maker who buys his damascus. The smith is going to be forging steel, whatever the nature of the blade material. I'm sure that his damascus costs are higher than say 52100, but not so significantly higher than the difference between ATS34 and DT damascus.
