Should I risk a cut back of grasses now?

I have a Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus and 3 Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' in pots.
All the wisdom seems to be that you should cut back in late winter or early spring when new shoots appear.
The problem I have is the new shoots are there now (December) and by the correct time for cutting back they are well advanced and cutting back is exceedingly difficult!
With the mild winters we now get down here on the Isle of Wight ( no appreciable frost for 3 years) should I take a chance and cut back now?

 

I’ve cut mine back early this year @madpenguin. They were getting trashed by wind and rain. If you can’t avoid cutting some of the new shoots, don’t worry, they’ll recover.

 

I agree - if you never get cold enough for frosts, the new growth would be fine over winter anyway.
It can be difficult if you try to cut back in late winter and there's new stuff already there, as it's easier to leave the old stems in situ to avoid being stabbed when trying to cut lower.
Not that I speak from experience or anything....

That's always the problem here @Plantminded. I always laugh at these presenters banging on about the frost on the seedheads of grasses and other perennials. Aye, fat chance of them still being upright by the time there's frost here!

 

Thanks.
I shall start cutting back soon !