I'm seeing plenty of complaints about the black stainless steel (with its coating to make it black) scratching so I have decided to go regular stainless. If you want black you might want a composite sink. That's what I have now but it always looks dirty, so again, I chose stainless. I selected a Kraus based on great reviews.

IMO these are silly . No one needs a 45" sink and all the addons are IMO too small to useful and a nice stainlees undermount 33" sink is perfect. I run a catering biz from my home I have 2 24" stainless sinks back to back in my island more than enough sink we use cutting boards that are aproper size and no grisd in the bottom of the sink nothing not needed all the time . To cover 1/2 the sink to chop veggies really equals what I have that cost very little 16 yrs ago and still look and function like new.

I second everything that @Jenny said.

I suggest you also consider Elkay. I have an Elkay, but not a workstation and not 45". I have no complaints and would buy it again. The Elkay 45" workstation model is CS45CWK. It is 16 gauge - make sure any sinks you are considering are the thicker 16 gauge (the 18 gauge is thinner).

Thank you @Jenny, this information really helps us solidify going with a SS sink. Which Kraus model did you buy?

@RoyHobbs the Elkay sink is beautiful. Definitely want 16ga steel which probably eliminates the Kohler. Not sure I can justify 5k+ for the sink when the Kraus / Ruvati are 33% of the price. Do appreciate the recommendation.

"Do not buy the importers only real ”advantage”. It’s marketing nonsense..."

@Lomo we can agree to disagree on that one. I think there is enough of a difference between 16 gauge and 18 gauge stainless steel to have an effect on usability. E.g., what it takes to dent the sink, how the sink feels to use it on a daily basis i.e. does it feel solid when you set a dutch oven in it, does it make a tinny sound when you throw utensils in it, does it rattle when the disposal turns on. And the OP wants a 2-ledge workstation sink where each ledge will hold up cutting boards, racks, and other utensils - I'd want the thicker gauge for that. But many people feel as you do, so the OP should go to a kitchen showroom where there are 16 and 18 gauge sinks on display, and see for themselves if they think there will be a difference.

If your post's underlying focus is about Kohler's 18 gauge sinks, I know that many of Kohler's sinks are imported from China rather than made in their U.S. factory, so Kohler would fall under your "importers" designation too.

Kohler at least own their factories and supervises the work there. Aggregators control no aspect of the production. They just farm it out to the lowest cost factory.

I purchased the KWU112-33 which is a double sink (which my husband wanted) with a partial height divider. It was on sale on Amazon for 40% off (and still is).