OLD AND NEW NOW by Tyr Neilsen

Bjørn Ingebrigtsen - Owner and manager of the Gammelt og Nytt store in Drammen, Norway.

I have always been fascinated with weapons, both modern and ancient. I have also loved being out in nature. In 1990 I was lucky enough to discover an amazing store called ‘Gammelt og Nytt’, which means ‘Old and New’ in Norwegian. For me, Gammelt og Nytt has been the absolute best place to go in Norway for the latest in specialized knives, old and ancient sharp-edged weapons, classic plugged handguns and rifles, collectables, replicas and military memorabilia.

On that first day, after checking out practically everything in the store, I bought a knife. For the last 30 years I have continually visited the store, quizzed the enigmatic owner Bjørn Ingebrigtsen about historical weapons and the latest in bushcraft and combat equipment, and have regularly bought knives, swords, axes, and pretty much whatever products he has recommended.

I have always regarded Bjørn as a mine of information about ancient and modern weaponry, and over the years we have had some very interesting conversations. A few years ago, Gammelt og Nytt started sponsoring some Academy of Martial Arts arrangements, as well as providing the Academy with exclusive equipment and contacts. When we were talking about a project the last time I was in the store, I suggested doing an article about Bjørn and Gammelt og Nytt. Right after he had sold me an axe, Bjørn said “Ok!”.

IT STARTED WITH A SWORD

Weapons have always been a part of Bjørn Ingbretson’s life. From the most ancient to the most modern, Bjørn has continually been fascinated by weapons. He has also been buying and selling weapons since he was 10 years old, and for the last 48 years he has been running Gammelt og Nytt in the city of Drammen. For decades Bjørn has sold just about every type of hand weapon and has been one of Norway’s foremost specialist in knives. When I asked him how it all began, he said “It started with a sword.”

As a young boy, Bjørn idolized his grandfather, who was a submarine Captain in the Norwegian Navy. When Bjørn was 9 years old, his grandfather passed away, and the old Captains military Sabre was given to Bjørn. This was Bjørn’s most prized possession, and it ignited an interest in weapons that has lasted throughout his life.

“When I was 10 years old, I started to buy antique militaria with my savings,” Bjørn said. “When I was 21, I paid 174 Norwegian Kroner for a Handels Brev (License to trade) which was a Norwegian certificate allowing me to run a business.” Bjørn flicked through a dark blue folder full of business records. “I used that license to buy and sell antiques and old military weapons and equipment.” Bjørn pointed to a yellowing piece of paper. “Every antique had to have a certificate of legitimacy with authorized information about the artefact, and I sent this information about my purchases to an ever-expanding base of regular customers.”

At 17 years old, Bjørn went into the Norwegian military where he became Tropssjef (Troop leader), Løytnant (Lieutenant) and then Våpenssjef (Weapons leader). “During my military service, I continued to buy and sell antiques,” Bjørn says with a hint of nostalgia. “When my service in the military was over, I became an officer in the Heimevernet (Norwegian Home Guard). Although I started looking for a full-time job, my side-business of Gammelt og Nytt continued to expand.” Business was so good that in 1975 Bjørn opened a store and 3 years later he registered the company ‘Gammelt og Nytt’.

In the late 70’s, business boomed and Bjørn started printing Gammelt og Nytt brochures to promote his products. “I was really proud of these glossy brochures,” Bjørn says as he hands me a copy. “As the brochures grew in size, so did my business. I also placed commercial ads in newspapers which generated a lot of attention. This included the first commercial ad for the famous American Ka-Bar knives!”

In 1978 Bjørn received his professional divers license and started teaching diving. As we checked out a variety of diving knives in one of the many glass cases in the store, I asked him what his favorite knife was. Bjørn pulled an old Ka-Bar utility knife from a well-worn leather sheath. “One of the first knives I ever owned,” he said proudly.

IT'S ABOUT EXPERIENCE

Bjørn has always wanted walking into Gammelt og Nytt to be a unique experience for his customers. Throughout the years, the store has always been a place of atmosphere and inspiration, with walls of ancient weapons and equipment opposite display cases full of the modern weapons and equipment.

In the 80’s the store’s niche was military surplus. “Apart from weaponry, the best outdoors equipment you could get in Norway at the time was ex-military equipment,” Bjørn said as he pored over old clippings from newspapers. During this period, Bjørn started specializing in collectables and survival knives. “In 1985 I sold Norway’s first Rambo style knife,” he says pointing to an ad. “I even had my own weekly article called ‘Ukens Knivskarpe’ (Sharp Knives of the Weeek) in Norways popular ‘Vi Menn’ (We Men) magazine, where I talked about knives and gave recommendations.”

There were many big changes in the 1990’s and 2000’s, especially when the internet changed how business was done. “I have been constantly specializing throughout the years, and Gammelt og Nytt has been able to continually offer and guarantee quality products, which is not always possible by ordering online,” Bjørn says as he checks out a website on his screen. “Ordering online in Norway can lead to high import taxes, the product being seized by customs, and then there is the rampant problem with fake products.” Picking up a beautiful custom knife, Bjørn smiles and says “You don’t have any of those problems when you buy something here.”

Through his business, Bjørn has often had to deal with customs and the police. “Over the years, many types of knives have become illegal in Norway, so selling knives and weapons has meant that I have had to keep up to date with ever changing laws.” Bjørn has also solved several criminal cases for the police. “I even received a financial reward for solving a robbery,” he says with a wry smile. Not all crime is criminal, as Bjørn has found out. “Famous Norwegian authors of crime novels have not only visited Gammelt og Nytt and quizzed me about weaponry and militaria regarding story plots,” he continues, “but they have also bought plugged weapons from me for use while writing the novels!”

OLD AND NEW

After a very satisfied customer leaves the store with his newest exclusive knife, Bjørn joins me beside a wall full of Viking, Medieval and collectable weapons and armor. “I’ve always been interested in history,” he muses. “At the moment I am reading the book ‘The Knight in Medieval England 1000 – 14000’ by Peter Coss. It’s giving me a lot of information I can use for my next motorcycle trip.”

Whilst he was in the military, Bjørn started a motorcycle group called the Ancient Troopers, made up of serving or ex Norwegian military officers. “I had always dreamed of owning an Indian motorcycle, but the amount of repair work and maintenance involved stopped me from buying one, so I bought a 1991 Harley Davidson motorcycle instead and customized it to look like an Indian!” Bjørn grabs a large coffee table book called ‘Harley Davidson på Norsk’ (Harley Davidson in Norwegian). Bjørn is featured with it on the book cover with his Indian Harley. “That customized Harley has won me many prizes,” he says with a grin.

After a while, the Ancient Troopers motorcycle group became international and for the last 15 years the group has travelled around Europe each summer visiting historical castles. “The group has its 20-year anniversary this year,” Bjørn says, “and to celebrate we will be driving around France.” The group’s historical destination will be the famous Castle of Châlus where Richard the Lionheart received an arrow in his neck in the year 1199.

Bjørn watches me in silence as I study the wall full of historical weapons and equipment, then turn my attention to a display case full of modern knives and collectables. “You looking for something new, or something old?” he asks me. This is a tough question for me as I have a collection of modern and historical equipment, including several pieces that have great meaning for me. “What do you recommend?” I ask. Bjørn has known me for many years now and knows what weapons and equipment I like and what I have. “I like to stock the store with weapons and equipment that is interesting to me as well as to customers,” Bjørn says as he places the knife in a display case. “A customer can get overwhelmed by the amount of product there is, so I give advice and recommendations.I think I know what you’ll like.” I looked forward to finding out what Bjørn would recommend.

THE WAY AHEAD

“Working with something you are genuinely interested in can make a workday very rewarding,” Bjørn says as he excitedly unwraps a new knife. “When something new comes into the store it reminds me of the excitement I experienced when I held my first weapon.” Holding up the knife, Bjørn continues, “I can still get that excitement when I get my hands on a brand new or ancient weapon.”

When I ask him what his plans are for the future of Gammelt and Nytt, it is obvious that Bjørn continually asks himself this question. “The store is doing really well at the moment. We have a large choice in folding knives, which are very popular and throwing knives have always been a bestseller.” Bjørn takes a look around the many displays in the store. “We sell what is trending and we continually have new and exclusive products.” He turns and smiles broadly. “It’s all about the experience. I want it to be a unique experience to walk into Gammelt og Nytt and I want customers to have great experiences with the products they buy here.”

As we take a look at some of the many knives and weaponry mounted in glass cabinets, Bjørn comes back to my immediate situation. “Do you want a weapon to train with or hang on your wall?” I smile as this is probably the best question Bjørn could ask me. I have bought several models of training knives and equipment recently from Gammelt og Nytt, so maybe it was time for something else. “How about an inspiring new version of an old weapon?” I asked. Bjørn smiled and led me to a large glass display stand. “Check out this selection of custom Bowie knives.” I checked them out. They were superb.

Link to Gammelt og Nytt’s website Bowie page: https://gn.no/liste-kniver-utstyr-bowie