Going based on the processes actual blacksmiths used, they would have a team of people that would do different jobs. The basic forging actually took a lot less time than the grinding process, which took a week or two. Without that, though, the blade is useless. A master blacksmith could make better blades, but not really all that faster, like how a chef can't just make food cook faster. To speed it up, you need modern tools. In the long run, beyond just the first job, it would be more beneficial to take his time and make them quality, since there is no real way to have them in time for the first score.

Though, if you start talking about Japanese forging for Katanas, you're looking at 7+ months.