{"id":938,"date":"2025-03-03T14:03:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/?p=938"},"modified":"2025-03-03T14:04:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:04:32","slug":"the-viking-shipbuilder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/2025\/03\/03\/the-viking-shipbuilder\/","title":{"rendered":"The Viking Shipbuilder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the age of eight, he asked for nails as a birthday gift. And he has always been passionate about history. Meet Norway\u2019s most experienced Viking shipbuilder, Jan Vogt Knutsen!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Einar Chr. Erlingsen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"THE
THE FOURTH SHIP: A replica of the Gokstad ship is currently under construction. Jan Vogt Knutsen has already helped build replicas of the Oseberg and Kl\u00e5stad ships. Another Kl\u00e5stad replica is also being built at Tyrifjorden under his leadership. (Photo: H\u00e5vard Soler\u00f8d)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve landed in the right place,\u201d says Jan (58) about his job as a construction manager at the Oseberg Viking Heritage Foundation (OVA). He has worked there since 2011, when he joined the team building the Oseberg replica\u00a0Saga Oseberg<\/em>\u00a0(launched in 2012). Since then, he has worked on the Kl\u00e5stad replica\u00a0Saga Farmann<\/em>, and now\u00a0Saga Gokstad<\/em>\u00a0is taking shape on the slipway. In addition, Jan is the construction manager for the Hardraade Viking Ship Association, which is building a Viking ship at Sundvollen by Tyrifjorden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always Craftsmanship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That Jan would end up building Viking ships was never a given. But it was clear that his career would involve craftsmanship. Throughout his childhood, he was always making things\u2014fixing bikes, building soapbox cars (including one with an engine), treehouses, and even his own boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut what profession should I choose?\u201d Jan recalls wondering. \u201cIt had to be something hands-on. As I saw it, the choices were limited: mason or carpenter? The idea of making a living as a Viking shipbuilder wasn\u2019t even on the radar back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan attended the local Waldorf School, where students work on a year-long project.\u00a0He had three ideas for his topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n