Straight Flute—The most common flute style, these reamers are suitable for a wide range of applications, but not recommended for holes with a keyway or other breaks in the surface.

Spiral Flute—Since these reamers clear chips better than straight flutes, they leave holes with a smoother finish. They're better for holes with breaks in the surface, such as a keyway, because they cut continuously across the breaks instead of moving in and out.

High-Speed Steel—Durable and wear resistant, these are good for general purpose reaming in most materials.

Right-Hand Spiral—These reamers pull chips upward as they cut, so they're often used in blind holes.

Jobbers' Length—The same length as jobbers' drill bits, these reamers save setup time when you want to drill and ream on the same machine, such as a drill press or bench lathe.