Hi Aled
Just for reference, the Clifton #4 1/2 blade works beautifully with the LN #4 1/2 (I know!).
Now if you are to get the LN, I would recommend the 55 frog as well. This is the advantage of LN over Clifton - you get a choice of frogs. The LN would then be a go-to plane for interlocked grain (especially since you are selling the LAJ ... why?).
I find mine moves quite sweetly with a scribble of candle wax on the sole.
Here are my two LNs, #4 1/2 and #3 ..
Not the ultimate performers that the LV BU planes are, but very nice to use (and preferred when I just want to freehand sharpen and not use a honing guide with the BU planes).
I've found almost every A2 iron I've used to be a bit of a pain to sharpen ...
When I read comments like this I can only assume that someone is using the wrong media. A2 sharpens up almost as easily - perhaps as easily - as O1 when using waterstones such as Shaptons. They get as sharp then and hold the edge significantly longer.
Regards from Perth
Derek