Grass hook / Hand scythe

Just shining a light on the humble grass hook. For those who may not be familiar with it, this long-standing garden/allotment tool can be a very versatile addition to your gardening tool collection.
Thin lightweight grass hooks (or hand scythes) like the one I'm using here are very handy for tight spots or small areas of grass/soft weeds and for trimming the soft new growth of various plants and even hedges such as this privet (prior to its main cut later in the year with the usual shears/hedge-trimmer).
BUT use with extreme caution; keep body parts well away from the path of your sweep. I wouldn't advise cutting woody/semi-woody hedge growth with these lightweight hooks because they can snag and fly out of your hand with potentially lethal effect. You have been warned!
If you want to cut thicker-stemmed plants such as old nettle, docks and semi-woody herbs, a thicker- and heavier-bladed grass hook might be better.
Use for short spells at first because they can quickly tire the wrist, forearm, shoulders and back. Sharpen regularly with a common scythe stone or similar. Wear a glove on your other hand for grasping stems whilst cutting.