That old VAR third hand that had a slide that had a thumb-screw to tighten the clamp you mean? If that's what you're referring to yeah, I remember those from my old bike shop days. I actually didn't like those at all. Too fiddly but were darn good quality. I thought the Park spring-type clamp was much easier to and faster to use but much less adjustable. I'd like to find one of those VARs just to have though.

Like this one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAR-02-Brake...MAAOxykmZTK49S