Reamers with radially extending flutes

A method of increasing the number of teeth on the cutting portion of a reamer of fixed outer diameter, said method comprising:

• separating the cutting teeth by flutes, wherein each flute generally extends along a radial direction with respect to the reamer;
• each flute terminating at an outer edge which extends between the outer diameter of the cutting portion and an inner diameter of the cutting portion;
• wherein the inner diameter of the cutting portion is defined at a distal end of the reamer;
• wherein the outer edge is oriented in a direction that does not lie in parallel with respect to a radial direction of the reamer or with respect to an axial direction of the reamer;
• wherein the flutes each comprise a surface that is generally triangular-shaped, flat and planar, and that terminates at the outer edge;
• and
• wherein the generally triangular-shaped surface is fully oriented along a plane that does not lie in parallel with respect to a radial direction of the reamer or with respect to an axial direction of the reamer;
• wherein each of the flutes further terminates at a corresponding axial groove positioned between margins of the cutting portion;
• wherein the generally triangular-shaped surface of each of the flutes extends between:
• two generally radial sides;
• the outer edge;
• and
• the corresponding axial groove;
• the at least one cutting tooth relief comprising a primary relief and a secondary relief;
• and
• the outer edge transitioning from the outer diameter to the inner diameter along at least the secondary relief;
• wherein the outer edge is oriented at an acute and non-zero angle with respect to an adjacent one of the two generally radial sides.