While it might be neat if there were edges that became available for particular poor performance, such as a 85% pk loss rate, I don't think edges should just be handed out if they were not earned. That is earned in the normal fashion of earning edge points, Imm exp, commerce exp, observation exp, etc. Edges to my understanding were designed as small rewards for producing good characters not something every character should expect if they are not doing the necessary steps to earn them. And to this end I think you are right that the top end of the game recieves the lion share of edges/edge points as they are the ones earning them.

New characters do have one advantage in that they most likely need to look at more things as they are exploring areas for the first time and still learning the layout of the land. For myself it is hard to earn observation exp from a place such as Akan/Castle Akan that I've been through upteen times but someone new should earn a good amount just walking through and looking around the first time.