a hole opener for use in the horizontal directional drilling industry is provided having an interchangeable sleeve reamer . the hole opener is in the form of a three - piece tool comprising a top shaft member , an interchangeable sleeve member and a bottom sub member , the interchangeable sleeve member being configured to be securely and removably mounted onto the top shaft member such that is does not rotate freely about the axis of the shaft member . in one embodiment , the bottom sub member also is interchangeable with other bottom sub members .