I have always liked Salix bats although I have only ever used the Praestantia Performance, and not the Fera.
But 'All Out Cricket' rated the Fera as the best mid-range bat of 2009:
The following is what they said about it mate:
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SALIX FERA BAT
RRP £200
*BEST MID-RANGE BAT OF 2009*
A beautifully presented upper crust piece of classic English willow: “It’s like your mum reaching for the finest china when your girlfriend comes round for dinner,” was one assessment. Crafted by master batmaker Andrew Kember, it has the elegance and style that is the Salix hallmark. This is no delicate flowery thing, however; there is plenty of meat in this bat. The livery is so subtle that from a distance it looks sticker-less.
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So it looks like a damn fine bat!