The Thompson A is a classic draw-in collet cam lever design vise that remains very popular to this day. The SLT 360 builds on this heritage while adding a few features such as a needle bearing supported shaft giving it the ability to rotate the jaws assembly 360 degrees (hence the name) with a hook clamped in the jaws.

There are three different sets of jaws available for this vise. Aside from the standard jaws that come with the vise there are also Midge jaws covering hook sizes #18-32, and Super jaws for hook sizes up to #6/0.

The standard jaws have smooth inside flats which require a fair amount of pressure to hold hooks firmly. They perform adequately for most trout size hooks, but struggle to hold larger hooks, such as #2-4, in a secure fashion.

The SLT 360 is a no frills vise except for the fact that where the venerable Thompson A retails for $50 the SLT 360 weighs in at $150 (C-clamp version) or $195 (pedestal version) And herein lies the rub. What would be acceptable at the lower price makes for raised eyebrows and frowned forehead for this reviewer.

The machining tolerances, or lack thereof, exhibited on both vises I looked at and tied on are simply unacceptable in this price bracket. There is significant clearance between the inside diameter of the housing-bearing and the main shaft. The wobble this allows is kept somewhat in check by the oversized delrin washers positioned on either side of the housing. But when clamping down firmly on a larger hook there is movement/tilt upwards visible on the jaws.

The Thompson C-clamp is inadequate with a maximum gap of 1½". The surface where the clamp grips the tabletop is not padded, and will wreak havoc on a nicely polished hardwood tabletop.

The Thompson pedestal is hardly better with its small footprint and marginal weight.

Thompson went out of business and this vise is no longer available at the retail level.