Shiny is going to vex you. The only ”negative” where stainless steel is concerned - and i don’t consider it a negative really - is that it scratches. If your finish is polished, you will see the scratches that come from normal use. If your finish is brushed or matte, you will probably never see a scratch. That’s why quality stainless sinks are slightly matte in appearance. And twenty years from now they will look like new.

BTW, Elkay makes a good quality sink. Some of their sinks are still made in the US, and Elkay pioneered the process of stamping a sink from a single sheet of metal. This is their undermount lustertone sink, which is 18 guage stainless, but has sound deadening sprayed underneath.

" That’s why quality stainless sinks are slightly matte in appearance. And twenty years from now they will look like new. "

Exactly! When contractor told me to replace my slightly matte Elkay sink I told him I had better uses for $600.00. Five years on and I know I did the correct thing to keep that sink.