Now, the Nelson man is making a second career by reintroducing New Zealanders to the method of cutting grass. His other job also involves blades - shearing sheep.
Mr Doyle was in Oamaru for three days running workshops organised by the Waitaki Community Gardens to teach people about scything.
The workshops started at 7am, when dew on the grass made it easy cutting, and continued until noon. The keen beginner scythers learnt everything from maintaining and sharpening scythes through to how to use them.
The key to that is a rhythmic swing and a sharp scythe. Blades should be good for at least four hours' cutting after sharpening.
After learning to scythe about three years ago, Mr Doyle started Scythes NZ.
He imports scythes from Austria and, since starting his business last October, has sold between 30 and 40. They vary in price from $260 for a plain scythe up to $380 for one with a 75cm blade and all the equipment to maintain it.
He says all sorts of people are buying them, but the main interest is coming from people with lifestyle blocks who find a scythe peaceful, environmentally friendly and a good way to get exercise.
