I'm fairly knowledgeable about knots and rope (I used to know almost every knot in the Ashley book of knots and can still tie a couple hundred from memory). The

I'm fairly knowledgeable about knots and rope (I used to know almost every knot in the Ashley book of knots and can still tie a couple hundred from memory). There may be some knowledge to gain from a knot, but hardly what is presented. Most people know an overhand, basic bow, reef/granny, slip knot, and half-hitch. They may cobble together a more advanced knot on accident, but that hardly proves experience. The use of climbing, fishing, or rescue knots could indicate something, but that's about the extent without going into pure guesswork. In the butcher example, the easiest explanation is that the knot came untied, so they added a couple extra wraps to keep it together and probably had no idea it was a different knot used in a particular field. Much more useful knowledge could be gained by the kind of rope, rope age, and wear patterns.