Theme is my primary concern for mold choice. So in a vacuum the choice becomes a little more difficult. So my rational from best to worst would obviously change with the individual design.
As mentioned before (and the reasoning behind my selection of it) the FDL for it's simple mold and large inlay option is my BFF.
I'm also out on the fringe by liking the B-Diamond, but it needs a "B" theme (Bart's Bowl-o-Rama). If they replaced the "B" with a "Z", my Zombies probably would have wound up on that mold instead.
MD-50 is the champion for classic themes. I also love the H mold for a classic looking set, but the "H" is a little off-putting as a letter if it doesn't fit the theme (not as off-putting as the "B" though). I would love to make another set on the MD-50, but I have 4 sets now, a 5th on the way, and I only host 6-8 games a year.
Scroll Mold is a pretty solid option for practically any set, stellar for any aquatic theme, and gives you the over-sized chip option.
Circle Square is my true neutral. It fits anything, and you cannot go too wrong with SQINCIRC.
I haven't played with the plain mold yet, but it feels like an unfinished chip. If
CPC offered an even bigger (giant - 1 3/8" ) inlay option, it would become a go-to chip for commemoratives.
Perhaps it's because I've spent too much of my life working with my hands, but I do not really swoon over the tactile feature of the chips, so I don't like the often overused HHR - but when it fits the theme (Hitching Post, Club Courage Twin Spires) it's so awesome, it is sploosh-worthy. Unfortunately, people flock to this mold. Horses play as much of a part in poker as dice do. At least you could claim chips are used in dice games - I've never bet on the ponies with chips...
The Hourglass is just too busy for my taste, cluttering up the outside of the chip. Yet, it has it's themeing potential.
What the hell - that's a Jockey? I thought it was a guy taking a dump.
I want to love cards and dice, but it is too reminiscent of the cheap slugged chips. It's like marrying a supermodel, than insisting she wear a loose-fitting, face covering hijab.
I do not like the A-Crest. If it fit a theme, I would obviously consider it, but it reminds me of a cheap inferior business, like "AAAA Bail bonds", or "AAAAA E-Z Loans". The over-sized A-mold just dwarfs the inlay, and puts "AAAAAAA Car Mechanic" in bold type. Look, putting in a bunch of A's does not make it better, m'kay?
Disclaimer: I have yet to see many CPC sets that made me want to puke, so if you built a set on one of my "lesser" molds, you probably have managed to buck the trend.