that is the old setup which is called css sprite. bigger image sliced. the new setup uses font-awesome, which isn't an image but a font rendered by browser. it just adds more flexibility in site layout vs image.
Are they truly awful?
This is the complete set - Find the Perfect Icon for Your Project in Font Awesome 5 | Font Awesome
I can always bring back the old set above, but easier to work with these font-awesome css solutions.
You said: I can always bring back the old set above, but easier to work with these font-awesome css solutions.
Well some improvements are not always great, on the other hand you do captain a smooth, smooth, ship.
Now that is something. I have been around and your site is a rock steady one.
I would welcome the old pictograms but if it is easier for the site i will get used to it. Mind you i will make fun of it for a while