I too wanted a Franke sink, until I found out the price. But they do look to have dif. finish.....shinier maybe than Ticor. I dont think its the photography. I think maybe thats the price difference!! ; )

I know, prices on Franke are not too appealing to me. I was hoping someone was going to jump in here and tell me it was just trick photography. Oh well.

Keep in mind that a shiny SS sink will show the inevitable scratches more obviously than a brushed (and less shiny) finish. Also, I think the eventual patina SS sinks develop will look much better w/a brushed finish.

HTH!

I certainly can address this question, as I have a Franke and a Ticor in the same kitchen. I can't tell any difference in the finish between the two sinks. I picked the Franke b/c I loved the shape of the Orca. In hindsight, I wish I would have saved money by going with 2 Ticors. Here are pics of my two sinks ... can you tell a difference in the finishes?

I was planning to get the orca myself. I do like the shape, but I also like the second level you can put a grid on. Do you wish you had just gone with a double or a large rectangular single? The price I have gotten I think, was 590.00 plus the cost of the racks. I haven't actually ordered it, yet. I would have no problem ordering the tricor if they offered the same shape and features. I REALLY wish Franke offered it in a reverse design, which would go with my set up much better.

Sue

I have to chime in here to say I love my Orca. After reading the advice on this forum about the virtues of a larger single bowl sink, I decided to try one for the first time. I was hesitant to give up somewhere to dry my few handwashed items, and the Orca grid solves that perfectly. The biggest complaint I have is that the large grid on the bottom doesn't fit into my dishwasher so it needs to be hand scrubbed. Still, I am so glad I spent the extra money on this sink!

Beth

Sue - I am definitely a single-bowl big sink person, as opposed to double bowl, so I have no regret with the Orca in that regard. I find the second level grid handy, but not necessary. I think I would have been just as happy with a large single bowl Ticor sink. There is nothing I dislike about my Orca (in fact I love it). It's just that as all expenses mounted up, this is one area where I easily could have saved at least a couple hundred bucks. I agree that the shape of the Orca is visually pleasing but, really, who else besides TKO on GW really notice the shape of a sink?

I guess I just can't completely join the large single sink bandwagon when I only have one sink - no prep sink. The Orca set up would allow me to do like Beth does and place items in the sink but still up out of the "gook" if I am also doing prep in the sink. That is why I would consider it as a single instead of going with another double. The brand does not really matter to me as long it is a sturdy, well padded one that wouldn't be likely to get dented or damaged by heavy use or sound like a tin can when things get put into it.

I wonder if there is a large single out there with the two levels of grids and an offset drain? I would prefer a drain towards the back on one side to preserve as much under sink storage space as possible.

sheilaaus122, I have seen the Franke in person and I don't think there is much difference in finish that I remember. I do remember a difference in shape (the orca), the second layer of grids were a revelation, since I had never seen that before, and the sound deadening was much better than in the "cheap" sink in the display next to it, esp. the padding on the sides of the sink. I think the cheap sink only had sound deadening on the very bottom. Tapping my fingers on the inside of the bowl sides made me raise my brows a bit. The cheap sink sounded hollow and the Franke still sounded solid and quiet. My impression from here has been that Tricors are well made sinks. So I would not hesitate to get one if they offer the size and features you are looking for.

Sue