Espen Hatleskog, known as Pilot Viking, is a Norwegian actor, model and creator with 1.3 million Instagram followers. He has been a The Beard Struggle ambassador since 2019, and if you have watched our Viking videos, you have seen him: trading blows with Thor Rosland, unboxing the Carbon X Pro and showing his daily beard routine from the fjords.
Who is Espen Hatleskog?
Espen was born in Stavanger and grew up around Sandnes on Norway's southwest coast. His childhood dream was to fly, so in 2011 he moved to Florida for flight school and trained there until the end of 2014.
Back in Norway he moved to a small town surrounded by nature and started taking photos of his adventures. He named his Instagram Pilot Viking for his aviation career, and kept the name when he swapped planes for drones. Before long he stepped in front of the camera instead of behind it, first as a model, then as an actor. He has since appeared in the Lifetime film Murder Between Friends.
What made him a TBS man was one bottle:
"After the first second I opened a bottle of Asgardian Secret Beard Oil, I was sold. My beard has never felt better."
Espen Hatleskog's beard routine
Espen keeps a full, thick beard with a sharp shape, and he keeps the routine simple. These are the products he names as his favourites:
- Wash and condition. Radiance Beard Wash and Conditioner to clean the beard and the skin underneath without stripping either.
- Oil. Day Liquid Tonic on the towel-dried beard, worked into the skin first.
- Balm. Warrior's Beard Balm to tame flyaways and set the shape for the day.
- Trim. A clean neckline and cheek line with the Varangian Trimmer, so the beard looks full and kept, not wild.
His favourite scents when he joined were Asgardian Secret, Valkyrie's Oud and Odin's Virtue. Not sure which suits you? Our scent guide compares every scent we make.
Espen's daily beard routine in three steps.
Pilot Viking and Thor Rosland
Espen and fellow ambassador Thor Rosland have made dozens of videos together for The Beard Struggle, from Viking sagas to product unboxings. In one video, Espen even tries to break into Thor's place to get his hands on Thunderborn, Thor's signature scent.
Espen talks through his beard routine in detail.
Espen Hatleskog FAQ
Who is Pilot Viking?
Pilot Viking is Espen Hatleskog, a Norwegian actor, model and creator. He took the name in 2014 because he trained as a pilot.
What beard products does Espen Hatleskog use?
His favourites are Radiance Beard Wash and Conditioner, Day Liquid Tonic beard oil, Warrior's Beard Balm and our beard trimmers, all from The Beard Struggle.
How long has Espen been with The Beard Struggle?
Since 2019.
Where can I follow Espen Hatleskog?
On Instagram at @pilotviking, and on The Beard Struggle's YouTube channel.
