Talented people with rare skills, experts etc - what's something you're really good at that you'd like to answer questions about, help people out with, or just want to show off?

1. I make prosthetic legs for a living which makes me fairly knowledgable about prosthetics for having all four limbs. There are probably only a hundred or so technicians in the UK so its quite a rare profession. I love it though, great way to be making things all day but still feel like you are really contributing to someone’s life and recovery. *EDIT* Okay so this blew up whilst I was asleep! Just to answer a couple of questions....I have no formal education in prosthetics as I’m based in the UK and you do an apprenticeship instead. Most technicians just manufacture and repairs limbs that come into the workshop by prosthetist who are trained to prescribe and fit prosthetics. I do see patients everyday as I am classed as a Clinical Support Technician so any issue with the limb that isn’t regarding the fit and alignment of the socket I deal with (usually noises coming from the limb, broken foot shells, issues with knees not working that kinda thing). I have additional training and clearance compared to a normal technician and I get better pay for taking on more responsibility with the patients. To train as a prosthetist/orthotist in the UK is a three year full time degree at either Salford University or Strathclyde but you’ll need to have a fairly strong academic background. You’ll do a load of placements at different limb centres as part of the degree. To train as a technician you’ll need to be hired by one of the big companies (Blatchfords, RSL Steeper, Opcare, Dorset Orthopaedic, Pace Rehab) for an apprenticeship. They hire people from so many different backgrounds but strong manufacturing skills are a must. If you want to design prosthetic components I have no idea....I know some people who do the P&O degree then go onto a mech eng masters but someone better qualified can answer that one. As a small plug if you are based in the U.K. and are an amputee and you have legs/arms you don’t use anymore think about donating them to Legs4Africa. I just got back from Gambia where they use the donated limbs from the UK and they are doing amazing work with so little. Or if you just want to donate 😊 www.legs4africa.org
   — bear_hug


2. I'm far from the best by any means, but I've made over 600 public fonts/typefaces. They've been used in a number of high profile video games, several films, numerous album covers, and a lot more besides. I've also made over 140 independent video games, mostly small and free. Happy to answer anything I can about either. :) As a lot of people asked, my fonts can be found here: Newer: https://www.dafont.com/chequered-ink.d6231 (maybe 80% of these are mine, the rest are my colleague's) Older: https://www.dafont.com/andrew-mccluskey.d3258 (all mine)
   — NALGames


3. Fuck it. Send me your Excel questions. EDIT: All right guys, I gotta sleep. I'll see what I can answer in the morning before work.
   — sirnumbskull






4. I'm a self-taught mycologist. I spent well over a year studying, in depth, mushrooms all over North America while I was a truck driver. I have doctors, college professors, hippies, bartenders, who all send me pictures of mushrooms to identify. It's my passion. Edit: Mushrooms are amazing! Don't eat anything you haven't identified and double checked yourself. Your local library has a whole section, and the books are free to borrow! Get excited, talk to people, go outside, and most of all, have fun!!! Edit 2: There is a saying that I've heard attributed to Tibetan monks: Every mushroom is edible, but some only once. Stay safe, friends! Support your local library!
   — tank_monkey


5. [i hand-draw super high detail illustration](https://i.redditmedia.com/zK4iCG8fQK8PmhNpt5Nox7_mV-l5UcgkllLWczmLR7U.jpg?s=978fd463cdd89028982a3d683fecd2a0), cartoon maps, and 3d architectural cutaways. edit: the above image illustrates 20 of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories. [you can see the making-of process here](http://hollycarden.com/blog/edgarallanpoe) and scroll down to see a key identifying all the stories. it's also a jigsaw puzzle. I did an h.h. holmes one too. Edit 2: ummm so I made the n00b error (10 yr club, here!) of posting my email address in a comment and got banned, so that's why I'm not responding, but I'm working on it... sorry!
   — hoodiemonster


6. I am very good at faux finishes. I can make almost anything look like wood, or old metal, or stone. I'm still learning how to do the perfect 'faux marble', or even granite, which I consider to be the most challenging to reproduce accurately. I've worked on films like Pompeii and Robocop, and currently work as a commercial artist for the home decor industry. AMA y'all Édit: it’s gonna take me a while to answer all this
   — allison_redford






7. After many many years working with koi ponds and swimming pools I can tell chemically what's wrong with water by the smell.
   — dubeykeebler


8. Don't know if this counts. I'm a safari guide in Kruger, South-Africa. I know the area very well, and I know as well that the image (of this area) that people get by surfing the web is not correct at all. Over the years I've become an expert (so to speak) of finding awesome safari deals in this area. The web paints a picture that the options for tourists are either going to the National park (which is cheap but there's lots of people and the animals may be far from the road) or go to Sabi Sands private reserve (which is bloody expensive but it's away from the crowds and you get an awesome safari with guides that go off road and take you very close to the animals). In reality there are equally awesome but much less known private reserves, with lots of very affordable lodges on them. And hardly anyone knows about them. These reserves have open borders to Kruger, and from a cost perspective some lodges on these reserves even compete with the low prices of safaris in Kruger National Park. It's just that travel agencies tend to promote only that one reserve, because the lodges on that reserve give them the highest commissions (up to 40%). TL;DR If you think an awesome safari is out of your budget range, drop me a line, and I'll be glad to give you some kickass tips.
   — TheAfricaBug