Razor Emporium

What Razor Emporium does

Razor Emporium, founded in 2009 by Matthew Pisarcik in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held retailer and manufacturer focused on traditional wet-shaving products and razor restoration. The company's core offering spans restored vintage Gillette safety razors (a catalog of 139+ models), modern and vintage double-edge safety razors, straight razors, branded shaving brushes, small-batch shave soaps, kits, accessories, apparel, and educational e-books. Ancillary services include the Revamp restoration workflow — resurfacing, polishing, mechanical adjustment, ultrasonic cleaning, electroplating (in-house since 2015), and repainting — delivered as a fee-for-service line that the company monetizes both directly and through restored-product resale.

Razor Emporium's technical stack centers on physical production and restoration rather than software. Following the February 2025 acquisition of Yates Precision Manufacturing, the company operates in-house CNC machining in addition to its existing electroplating line, supporting OEM-embedded products including the Rex Supply Co. Ambassador all-stainless adjustable safety razor (founded 2016) and the acquired Yates Merica, Winning, and 921 models. Operations are consolidated in an 8,000 sq ft historic Phoenix warehouse that serves as headquarters, restoration center, retail lobby, and manufacturing floor.

The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer e-commerce through razoremporium.com, supplemented by a walk-in retail location in Phoenix, gift certificates at $25 denominations, downloadable digital content (e-books priced $14.95–$19.00), and global shipping with free domestic delivery on orders above $70. Customer mix is long-tail: the company's named segments are individual wet-shaving enthusiasts, vintage Gillette collectors, beginners transitioning from cartridge razors, and precision-razor buyers — all served through a content-led funnel anchored by a 50,000-subscriber YouTube channel, an active blog, and a Learning Center. Razor Emporium generates revenue through one-time hardware sales, professional restoration services, and digital downloads, with no subscription or recurring-revenue model disclosed.

Name

Razor Emporium

Legal name

Razor Emporium LLC

Website

https://razoremporium.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Razor Emporium is a Phoenix-based DTC retailer and manufacturer of traditional wet-shaving products, restored vintage Gillette razors (139+ models), and proprietary brands Rex Supply Co. and Yates Precision, serving individual wet-shaving enthusiasts and collectors via e-commerce and a walk-in Phoenix retail location.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (E-commerce): Razor Emporium sells a wide range of wet shaving products through its own online storefront, including razors (new and vintage), blades, brushes, shaving soaps, accessories, apparel, books, and kits. Revenue is generated through individual product transactions at various price points.
2. Gift Certificates: Digital gift certificates are sold at $25.00 increments, allowing customers to purchase shave products. Gift certificates are non-refundable.
3. Razor Restoration Services: Razor Emporium offers restoration services (Revamp Service created 2010) to restore vintage razors, including replating, polishing, and mechanical repair. These are fee-for-service revenue-generating offerings.
4. Manufacturing (REX Brand & Yates Models): Following vertical integration, Razor Emporium now manufactures its own product lines including the REX Ambassador adjustable safety razor and continues Yates Precision Manufacturing models (Merica, Winning, 921). Revenue from in-house manufactured products.
5. Digital Products (E-books): Razor Emporium sells downloadable digital books on shaving history and razor collecting, including The Complete Gillette Collector's Handbook ($19.00) and A History of Shaving and Razors ($19.00) as PDF e-books.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Razor Emporium retails restored vintage Gillette safety razors, modern double-edge and straight razors, shaving brushes, artisan soaps, and shave kits through its e-commerce storefront and Phoenix retail location. The company also operates a proprietary Revamp restoration service that resurfaces, polishes, mechanically adjusts, ultrasonically cleans, and replates vintage razors. Following the 2025 acquisition of Yates Precision Manufacturing, Razor Emporium manufactures the REX Ambassador all-stainless adjustable safety razor and continues Yates models (Merica, Winning, 921) in-house.

Product overview

Razor Emporium is a traditional wet shaving supply company offering a curated portfolio of razors, shaving products, and restoration services. The core offering includes restored vintage Gillette safety razors (Super Speed, Fatboy, Tech, Aristocrat, Slim models), DE safety razors, and straight razors. The product ecosystem is complemented by proprietary shaving brushes (badger and synthetic) and small-batch shaving soaps (Unscented, Sandalwood, Fireside, Nordic). Razor Emporium operates two sub-brands: Rex Supply Co. (featuring the American-made Ambassador adjustable stainless steel razor) and acquired Yates Precision razors (Merica, Winning, 921 models). Services include professional Revamp restoration services and a Learning Center with educational video content. The company also offers digital products including collector e-books on Gillette razors and safety razor history.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rex Supply Co. Founded in 2016, an American-made all-stainless steel adjustable safety razor brand representing the 'Razor Emporium Experience' with the promise to 'Revisit Excellence.'
• Yates Precision Manufacturing

Products and services

• Vintage Gillette Razors Restored and refurbished vintage Gillette safety razors from various eras, including Super Speed, Fatboy, Tech, Aristocrat, and Slim models, professionally cleaned, calibrated, sanitized, and 100% shave-ready. The catalog spans 139+ different vintage Gillette models with prices ranging from $40 to $900+.
• DE Safety Razors Double-edged safety razors, both vintage restored and modern, featuring adjustable and fixed-head designs in various metal finishes including nickel, rhodium, and gold plating. Targeted at wet shaving enthusiasts seeking traditional shaving tools.
• Straight Razors Traditional straight edge razors for wet shaving enthusiasts, requiring skill and care but delivering precision and a close shave. Targeted at experienced wet shavers seeking the traditional straight razor experience.
• Shaving Brushes Wet shaving brushes available in badger hair and premium synthetic options, featuring acrylic handles in various color options including orange (reminiscent of vintage RubberSet brushes), blue & gold, and amber & black. Razor Emporium branded brushes priced $30 (synthetic) to $35 (best badger), 26mm knot, 55mm loft for best badger.
• Shaving Soap (Small Batch) Artisan small-batch shaving soaps available in various scents including Unscented, Sandalwood, Fireside, and Nordic, designed for lathering with shaving brushes. Targeted at wet shaving enthusiasts seeking premium artisan soap options.
• Revamp Restoration Service Professional razor restoration service including resurfacing, polishing, mechanical adjustments, ultrasonic cleaning, plating (electroplating brought in-house in 2015), and painting to restore vintage razors to shave-ready condition. Includes a proprietary Revamp restoration process; all razors undergo high-power ultrasonic cleaning and are sanitized to be 100% shave-ready upon delivery.
• REX Ambassador Adjustable Safety Razor American-made, all stainless steel adjustable safety razor launched in 2016 under the Rex Supply Co. sub-brand, featuring the REX name signifying the 'Razor Emporium Experience' and combining premium wet shaving desires with quality craftsmanship. The product represents a world-first in the wet shaving market.
• Yates Precision Razors (Merica, Winning, 921) Precision-machined stainless steel, brass, and titanium razors originally crafted in Pennsylvania, made available through Razor Emporium following the February 2025 acquisition of Yates Precision Manufacturing. Continues the Merica, Winning, and 921 models with lifetime warranty support from in-house CNC machining.
• Shave Kits Pre-configured wet shaving kits containing everything needed for a complete shaving routine, suitable for beginners and experienced wet shavers. Bundled offerings that simplify onboarding to the wet shaving category.
• Gift Certificates Digital gift certificates available in $25 denominations, allowing recipients to choose products from the entire Razor Emporium collection. Non-refundable, redeemable through the website.
• Safety Razor Compendium (E-Book) Downloadable PDF reference source for safety razor collectors (v. 1.2) by Robert Waits, containing detailed safety razor history information. 200 MB disk space required for download. Priced at $14.95.
• The Complete Gillette Collector's Handbook (E-Book) Digital edition of collector's handbook by Phillip L. Krumholz in PDF format (496 pages) covering identification and dating of Gillette safety razors and accessories. Priced at $19.00.
• A History of Shaving and Razors + Value Guide for Barberiana (E-Book) Classic out-of-print book by Phillip L. Krumholz available electronically, including the Value Guide for Barberiana & Shaving Collectables, essential for razor collectors. Priced at $19.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• Razor Emporium YouTube channel has reached 12.4 million views with 50,000+ subscribers, demonstrating massive community engagement and brand reach.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Yates Precision ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2025Razor Emporium officially acquired Yates Precision Manufacturing in February 2025, including the rights to its name, designs, tooling, website, and social media platforms. Founded in 2019 by Jake Yates, Yates Precision Manufacturing was known for precision machining stainless steel, brass, and titanium razors in Pennsylvania. The acquisition was driven by Razor Emporium's need for in-house CNC machining capabilities to control price and availability of razor components. Jake Yates personally completed all outstanding orders from his existing shop before the transition. Razor Emporium committed to honoring all lifetime warranties from existing models and continuing the Merica, Winning, and 921 razor models. This represents a major strategic acquisition that vertically integrates Razor Emporium into manufacturing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• West Coast Shaving: West Coast Shaving is a U.S. online retailer specializing in traditional wet shaving supplies, offering safety razors, blades, brushes, soaps, and aftershaves. Its product mix, customer base, and educational content focus closely mirror Razor Emporium's offering.
• Barrister and Mann: Barrister and Mann is an artisan wet shaving brand producing handcrafted soaps, aftershaves, and fragrances that are widely sold through wet-shaving retailers including competitors like Razor Emporium. Direct overlap on shave soap SKUs and enthusiast audience.
• Maggard Razors: Maggard Razors is one of the largest direct-to-consumer wet shaving retailers in the U.S., selling safety razors, brushes, soaps, and accessories online. It is the closest head-to-head competitor to Razor Emporium in the artisan wet shaving segment.
• Stirling Soap Company: Stirling Soap Company manufactures and sells artisan shaving soaps, aftershaves, and related wet shaving accessories directly to consumers online. It is a direct overlap to Razor Emporium's small-batch shave soap and accessory business.
• The Art of Shaving: The Art of Shaving is a premium men's grooming retailer and brand focused on traditional wet shaving, barbering tools, and skincare, operating both e-commerce and physical retail stores. It competes with Razor Emporium for the same upscale wet shaving customer.
• Rockwell Razors: Rockwell Razors designs and sells premium adjustable safety razors and accessories DTC, competing in the same premium tier as Razor Emporium's REX and Yates lines. Comparable product positioning and end-customer.

Broad incumbents

• Harry's: Harry's (acquired by Edgewell Personal Care) is a large DTC men's grooming brand offering razors, blades, and shave products with both direct and retail distribution. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same end-customer who might otherwise migrate to traditional wet shaving.
• Bevel: Bevel (founded by Tristan Walker, now under P&G) is a broad men's grooming brand offering single-blade razors, skincare, and shave products aimed at men of color. It competes for premium DTC wet-shaving customers but operates at significantly larger scale and brand breadth.
• Dollar Shave Club: Dollar Shave Club (owned by Unilever) is a subscription-driven men's grooming brand selling razors, blades, and shave products online at scale. It represents the mainstream/cartridge alternative that Razor Emporium's marketing explicitly contrasts itself against.

Emerging players

• Viking Soap Company: Viking Soap Company is a smaller artisan shave soap and grooming brand selling through its own DTC site and select retailers. It competes in the same enthusiast wet shaving category but at smaller scale than Razor Emporium.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/razoremporium
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RazorEmporium/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Razor-Emporium/101185356596247
• Instagraminstagram.com/razoremporium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Razor Emporium