The difference I've seen between my older Bucks (70s to 80s) and new Bucks (past 5 years) is that they seem somewhat less durable and a bit sloppier. My sense is that some of this is the result of stamped parts that have a bit more variance and softer bushings. I think the classic 110 sells for a lot less than it did in the 70s in terms of adjusted dollars.
I didn't know the full line up of Bucks in the 70's when I got my first one. I knew about the 110, which I bought and the black handled 105s that my cousins carried. My sense is that the current Buck is struggling to figure out how to grow their line up. Most of their non-hunting knives don't work for me as well as others. But that's ok. Buck still makes great hunting knives. That's their core, I think. I'll never part with my 110 and carried my script 500 today. That's my favorite Buck.
