The reels with the sprocket prongs seem to be the norm rather than the exception, at least here in the UK. I have a couple of Hewes reels, as well as half-a-dozen other anonymous ones, all with the prongs.(posted 8202 days ago)
I've never had to go out of my way to find that type, but I must admit, I haven't been shopping for reels lately.
The one odd reel in my collection is a Kindermann, with an awful centre spike that I avoid using if possible.