I ordered a #4 Clifton not too long ago mostly just to see what Clifton planes were like.
Yesterday I sharpened the cutters of four of my #4 planes, just for Mark I included my Record #4 (best I can recall it was bought in the late '70's early '80's). So the line up was the Record with a Hock iron, a Type 13 Stanley with a Japanese bi-metal cuter, a LN with a Veritas O1 iron, and The stock Clifton. I didn't include either the classic or new modular Veritas planes because of their Norris adjusters, try as hard as i can I just can't develop any love for 'em.
While the cutters were sharpened freehand so all things may not be equal but the sharpness should be reasonably close, at least good enough to get a feel of each plane. Of course something like this is totally subjective.
Cut to the chase: the order of comfort/pleasure/ease of use was: Stanley, LN, Clifton, and sorry to say Record. The Record sucked hind tit mostly because of its tote, by the time this one was made both Record and Stanley were not producing well made planes. The tote is almost unfinished, rough and made of mystery wood, add in the bent metal adjuster and if it weren't for sentiment the Record would walk the plank.
The LN is just heavy, it brings a little to table because of quality of build but that is not enough to beat the Stanley. The Clifton I wanted to love but no joy. The quality of build is great, as good as the LN, but the screw head on the knob extends above the knob making it uncomfortable to hold and it really is too damn heavy.
The Stanley, while not as well made, fits my hand better. The sum is greater than the parts. I know everyone would have a different opinion but whatever the Stanley blows my skirt. Of course I kinda knew that going in .
ken