Venture capitalists see opportunity in facial stubble.

The shaving industry, long dominated by giants like Gillette and Schick, now includes a wave of well-financed start-ups. Dollar Shave Club, which just raised a $50 million round of venture capital, offers inexpensive replacement razor blades. Harry’s offers a similar product, but with stylish handles as well. Bevel products cater to African-American men, who are often pained by razor burn, according to the company.

The young companies are all angling for a piece of the $6.1 billion men’s grooming market.

But they are also part of a bigger push among e-commerce companies that see opportunities in selling products as varied as mattresses and eyeglasses, where the established companies are accustomed to plump profit margins.

“There’s kind of a game going on, where there’s way too much margin,” said David Pakman, a partner at Venrock, a venture capital firm that is an investor in Dollar Shave Club. “The big guys are overcharging you, while smaller companies like ours can give you the best products in the world for a fraction of the price.”

In 2004 Gillette reported a 60 percent gross margin before being bought by Procter & Gamble. Gillette’s blades now often cost $10 to $40, depending on the number of razor cartridges purchased.