What's the difference between satin nickel and brushed nickel?

Question

What's the difference between satin nickel and brushed nickel?

Answer 1

The Satin Nickel finish is nickel plating on brass that has been lacquer coated and made to appear dull.

Satin Nickel is sometimes referred to as brushed nickel. It is similar in appearance to brushed stainless.  

Answer 2

Brushed nickel has actual linear brush stroke marks in the surface, made by the buffing implement that 'brushed' it.  Satin nickel may actually be brushed nickel by some manufacturer's description, but usually is just a non-polished nickel, with a matte finish, without the brush marks.  If you look at a stainless steel sink or refrigerator, they usually have the brush marks I'm referring to