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zakruti.com » Do it Yourself - Handmade » Erik Grankvist
How I Left The City At 18 and Built My Dream Log Cabin

How I Left The City At 18 and Built My Dream Log Cabin

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Rating: 4.5; Vote: 2
After 6 years my dream log cabin and lifestyle have finally been achieved, but it was not an easy journey. About seven years ago, I felt lost, even though society had clearly paved a path for me. I was 17 and living in Stockholm, Sweden. After seeing the documentary Alone in the Wilderness by Dick Proenneke, I became completely obsessed with the idea of packing a backpack full of hand tools and wandering off into the vast forests of Sweden to create my own life, live off the land, and build a log cabin. I had found my vision, but I was still in high school. My grandparents owned forest land, so I started spending more and more time with them every weekend. Wandering out, dreaming of my obsession, and asking for advice. I had absolutely no prior knowledge of how to do any of this, only the obsession to learn. When I turned 18, I told everyone my plans: I was going to leave for a year. and build my own cabin. I was very fortunate to have my parents' support in this strange and naive plan, but they let me go under one condition from my mom: that I at least film a little with my phone so they could see what I was up to. I had no real plan to film, but I figured it would be nice to have something to look back on. I started by felling the trees and debarking them in the forest. One eight-meter log took me over eight hours to debark; later I got it down to under ten minutes. The right tools, technique, and conditioning were key. This is one example of how, with time, I improved and learned through my own experience. If you don’t know all the answers in the beginning, just start, mother nature will force you to improve naturally. It’s in all of us; you just have to endure. I noticed that when you’re limited to very simple tools, you’re forced to become creative. Like the ramp I built to pull all the logs up, an idea I literally dreamt one night after thinking about it all day. I make it sound easy now because it feels easy when I look back on it, but in the moment there was a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and prayers that it would work. But in the end, it did. It doesn’t matter to me how long it took only that I completed what I started. Later, I also became very passionate about filmmaking, and I have a lot to thank my mom for, since she insisted I film from the beginning. You can see the quality of the video improve over time. The whole journey was filmed by myself, using a tripod. Some people will doubt this and say I had a film crew or a construction team, which I take as a huge compliment. I know my journey, and I now hope to inspire others in the same way Dick Proenneke inspired me. If you want one of the cutting boards from the video that I make myself, check out my website: I am now also selling my own hand-forged axe! After finally designing what I dare deem to be the best bushcraft/outdoors axe out there: Thank you for supporting my lifestyle directly through my handmade goods. It truly means the world to me, because I was told that my dream wouldn't work in today's world where everything is mass produced. I want to prove them wrong. My goal is to expand into other handmade products. Making a series of lifetime quality handmade goods. Breaking free from mass production, supporting our environment. So check out my website: ____ A massive thank you to Revolution Race for the clothes that you know I am always wearing. Get the same clothes here: ____ This is the gear that I use to make these videos possible: My main camera: My second camera: My lens: My drone: These amazon links are affiliate links. By using these links I earn a small fee from your purchase, it does NOT cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support and be creative with your new gear! Thank you Stevie Antoniou for editing this video!
Date: 2025-12-13

Comments and reviews: 20


I've seen people build 'log cabins' on the internet before and some of them are good and some of them are bad. However, a large majority of them are small. Some are so small you can barley stand up straight in them let alone fit a king sized bed with a distinct kitchen area with a dining table. You even have basement storage for your food. This video was amazing. I love how you used ancient techniques and built a home that will last several lifetimes. This is something to be incredibly proud of and I think your amazing Erik.
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Such a beautiful bow to place on your gift of creation. I've quietly witnessed your satisfaction and endeavors viewing your videos from when you first began. The journey was well worth it and I hope to one day pursue something as great as you! I felt as if I were in the forest (right there, alongside) to witness and behold; and it was an amazing experience and an honor to see your creation, video, cabin, and all your experiences.
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I have watched you very nearly from the beginning and it has been gratifying to watch your skills and vision improve as you faced each new challenge. I loved watching you raise a beautiful dog from a playful puppy. it was enjoyable to watch you plant and harvest and hunt and prepare your own food. you have many things to be proud of. I cannot wait to see what you will do next!
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Its been fun to follow along the build. I am very impressed of your dedication and talent. Even in the winter! I live in Norway so know the winter can be hard. The cabin is so nice and very high quality, this is a cabin for many generations. Must be an insane feeling sitting there with this masterpice knowing you did it yourself, and so young also. So happy for you and your sweet dog.
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The sustained effort is appreciated. I know how hard fir wood is to lift or carve. Especially when you work with ancient tools. Then you also had a young age, at which, surprisingly enough, you were pushing yourself a lot.
I hope that girl is still with you.
I really liked that she got involved and helped with some chores.
Take care of you

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There’s something deeply moving about watching six years of work unfold into a single, finished cabin every log placed by hand feels like a chapter in a personal story, not just construction. It’s a quiet reminder that the best things in life are built slowly and with care.
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Erik, you simply are a Pioneer throwback to earlier times! Incredible! I was glad to see that you’re not walking this journey alone. Your parents must be extremely proud of you! Well done! Additionally, your filmography and digital editing is fantastic! Godspeed!
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Question, how did you make money during those 6 years Obviously you need it for supplies, food, water, materials, etc. Also did you have a girlfriend/wife during this period, is she satisfied with this lifestyle Because most girls would like luxury, that's why I ask.
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hey Erik. it is a fkng amaizing job mate! just keeping forward you are on the best way! sorry about the bad words i just keep it simple. be proud! you have to teach what is life all about. masterclass! i will be one of the first student. i want my phd. :D
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It's that feeling when you've been working toward a goal for a long time and finally achieved it. And if you don't find a new goal at that moment, life will seem incomplete and stagnant. I'm sure you have many more interesting goals to achieve.
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This should be shown in film schools/festives.
I found your videos by complete accident & i’m so glad i did! You are inspiring & i’m so proud of someone i’ve never met Please continue to film, i’ll watch anything you make

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Quite a journey Erik, both physical and no doubt emotional also, a truly coming of age experience that very very few experience these days, one could call it a rite of passage. Well done, I guess this is only the beginning.
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When he described leaving the city at 18 to chase this dream, it really hit me not just the courage it takes to walk away from comfort, but the vision to build something entirely your own from the ground up.
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It is incredible to follow the long journey of crafting a log cabin over six years, showing steady dedication, patience, and a peaceful connection with nature as the whole story unfolds beautifully.
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Excellent foundation. I've quit watching construction videos that have poor foundations. And that the presenter babbles all through. Very nice! Not to mention a beautiful home you constructed!
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This is incredible. The dedication, patience, and growth you went through is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your journey it shows what’s possible when you don’t give up on a dream.
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I'm truly amazed by the quality of this video, that's a real production in both in the movie making and in the building itself. Inspiring, Motivating and Refreshing! Congrats on the amazing work!
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Thank you, Erik for one and a half hours of your log cabin construction video. I have admired your many skills, and hope that you will share more footage in the future. Thank you again.
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Where's the bugs, no bugs in Sweden Your hands must be like leather. I chopped wood for 3 months and my hands were hard as a rock. Good video, give me a call I'll come visit you (lol.
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Wow doing that all on his own. I had a feeling he'd plant baby trees after he knocked all the trees down to build his home. I had a feeling he was a responsible young man
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