I do ten light X-strokes then check the sharpness.
I think I just need to lap the hone a bit. I just want to make sure I don't leave any abrasive behind from the flattening stone.
Maybe if I use my Norton flattening stone to clean it up, then scour the hone with a scotchbrite pad, that might scrub off any abrasive that stuck in the 12K stone.

Does anyone use something different that works better? I'm just looking for the most effective / surest way to clean up my 12K.