As someone that has recently returned, I personally would probably like to see the flexibility in edges remain. All in all I have played 2 characters that I can remember where edges were an option (Maybe they just came out when I stopped playing but maybe not)

If a particular combination is always taking edge X, Y and Z I think the thing here is it does encourage a level of interaction with the environment in some way PK, Explore, Observation etc. So that this can be taken, but lets say for instance that a mace spec got skull crusher by default then this may saw to the PK side to much.

I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration side of things and the observation side of things coming back. Hell in the last 20-30 hrs of my life I went to areas that from what I could tell there was really no need to go to because they were sub level 40 but found some pretty cool stuff along the way.

If there were changes to be made I would like the following to be taken into consideration:
1. Perhaps only the edges that might make life a little less draining a good example reading it again is Tune as Talisin mentioned its not overly powerful but it drops the chore of the player base. Or the healer example so you can bless and frenzy while wearing weapons/shields. But don't include anything that increases PK strength.
2. If a change is made please consider how it is introduced Kregan was on the edge of the old/new system for edge points. The problem in the halving is those that had been round for 2-3 month prior most likely had maxed everything out. So those situational items and taking edges cause the points were just there. The problem then is to a degree is a ceiling is put in place that does create an advantage one side has versus the other.
3. If an edge is to be rolled in I think it should become a skill, and infact perhaps this could be argued with most edges in general. That way a mace spec does not go from ok cranial to cranial that bashes your head in instead this fighting method is slowly learned. But this is probably a lot more background code and perhaps not the intent of what is being asked.
4. Don't discount the little rewards the edge system gives along the way, I have no idea if some of the edges I picked were good or bad, but having the flexibility to pick some of them gave me some great ideas for 3-4 other roles I now want to try. For someone new to the system it is good to be able to take the occasional clanger as well as the ones that sound really good.
5. All in all tho from my limited experience I think let the dust settle for a while and see where things go.
6. As a side note perhaps some of the help files need to be looked at. I took the read lips edge cause from the help file it appeared I would be able to "hear" tells etc. But in all honesty it appeared to be a complete and utter waste. (See item 5 one of my clangers in taking it kind of eliminated something else I thought would be awesome which to a degree means I don't waste time trying to achieve something later down the track. I like long lived characters investing 80 hrs or so just to throw it away annoys me and I would only do it for so long)