Just found a thread on drainboards that I'd missed. Sorry...but I'd still love your thoughts on the slant/straight sink issue. Thanks

I regret not getting runnels. I decided that having them might limit the use of the countertop when it was not functioning as a drainboard, such as when I want to use the counter for buffet or something.
However, I do have to say that whether or not you're going to like it might be affected on whether you plan to keep your stone waxed and/or whether or not your runnels have slope enough to drain properly.

My own compulsion is to want my soapstone consistently black. This would be harder to maintain this with the runnels in the counter, as it seems the sink area requires much more fussing over. If you aren't good at putting away your dishes, you'll probably always have a messy look. Not only that, but you may still need a dish drainer to make the runnels more useful.

Since I do not have the runnels, my opinion may be limited in value to you, but still these considerations may be helpful. Either way, hopefully those with runnels will weigh in and give you enough advice so that you make the right decision.

I think I made the right decision for myself, but I still have runnel envy.

I have runnels. I have very little counter space, and they allow me to keep the counter space and use it as drainboard when I want to, whereas a full slanted-surface drainboard couldn't really be used as counter space, because it's not level.

The runnels work fine for drainage, you're not draining gallons of water.

But if it's one of those things that the "huge" difference is a hundred dollars, or a couple hundred, between the thing that's OK and the thing you REALLY want and really solves a problem, and you haven't gone crazy with everything else, then consider going for it.

As for the front of the sink, I have used slant-front sinks and I can see that for hand-wrist comfort that the angle may be more comfortable. If you're thinking of the front digging into your stomach, I don't think that matters much. We're all pretty, uh, adaptable in that region!

ajs, I agree with you, I really don't see how the slant front would be more comfortable than the flat front. I have a flat front farmhouse sink which is bumped out a little from the cabinet, but I still don't touch it when I stand at the sink.

I love my runnels. They're sloped and they do a good job of draining the water into the sink. I do a lot of handwashing and I don't use a drainer any more.

Good luck!

Erika

Erika -- wow; does this mean you can actually replace your drainer with runnels? That's hard for me even to imagine. I guess it must depend a bit on how you use the drainboard. Mine is always stuffed with stuff coming out of the dishwasher, wet.... In fact I often have to off-load stuff from the drainer to the counter to dry *further*. I'm allergic to dish drying towels. ;)