Hey Tom, that was indeed quite some time and quite some beard ago. The beard length works very well with a tie, looks very dapper. Have you tried the two pronged braid a little lower? I think that would be a very nice "scholarly viking" look for you.

I have written a bit about different beard products here:
moustache cups and mugsbeard brushes and combs
beard literature | simple homemade beard oil

my beard journey | my bart * aber herzlich beard oil | Bartöl store (external link, not affiliated with or endorsed by beard board)