Since edges are two flat surfaces that meet, I don't see it as being unrelated. Obviously it is a phenomena that is observed.
A large carbide is of course as difficult to define as any other "large" thing. 20 micron+ carbides could probably be classified as large carbides. You're unlikely to notice individual missing carbides, the effect is noticed because carbides tend to cluster, and steels with large carbides tend to also have lots of carbides. You of course wouldn't be likely to observe carbide pullout without going to a fairly polished sharpening.
Here's the first micrograph I could find in my collection. I'll let you come up with your own analysis:
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