Do you call any axe with a rounded lug a rockaway? I seem to see a lot of jerseys (taller poll) called rockaways just because of the rounded lugs. I always thought of a rockaway as having a narrower poll and a more rounded edge shape (like a michigan).
To a point, that is true, somewhat. Generally, a rounded lug is the feature that seperates the two to most people. Poll, taller, thicker, longer, generally can belong to a Jersey or Rockaway.. I have seen Jerseys with massive polls, and some with tiny.
If you look at the book Axe Makers of North America, it states :
"There were 3 main differences in this axe(Rockaway), which quickly built up acceptance. It resembled a Hudson Bay pattern with one important difference - a curved "inside" blade edge. The blade curved from the inside blade end to the bottom of the eye.
The cutting blade, too, had a curve from bottom to inside edge. This was claimed to allow the chopper or woodman to take a wider cut when felling.
The third change was a notably heavier and wider poll. As stated, it gave the chopper a laarger cutting edge, and those who used it could produce more work, and they became the supporters od the Rockaway pattern"
So is the rounded lug the factor that determines rockaway vs jersey? Yes and no. In todays world, I would say that is it. But as you can see, the under edge and blade edge, as I stated before in a previous post, is really what sets it apart from a Jersey. The Jersey pattern is what resulted from monkey see monkey do in the earlier times. I am sure each blacksmith saw a design and tried to tweak it - hence the relation to the names via geography.
Interesting story no doubt. Many different ways to look at it.
