A method for making an abrasive article comprising: loading abrasive particles to a distribution tool, the distribution tool defining a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots defines a length, a width, and a depth, and the length is greater than the width and the depth, and the length is greater than at least two times the largest nominal dimension of the abrasive particles, each of the slots being open to an exterior of the distribution tool, wherein the plurality of slots comprises a first slot having a slot width W S; and distributing abrasive particles from the distribution tool on to a major face of a backing construction web located immediately below the distribution tool such that the distribution tool is spaced from the backing construction web by a gap G that is less than a maximum dimension or dimensions of the abrasive particles, the abrasive particles comprising a particle maximum length L P, a particle maximum height H P, and a particle maximum thickness T P such that the slot width W S is less than the maximum particle length L P and the maximum particle height H P, and the slot width W S approximates or is greater than the maximum particle thickness T P, the distributing step including: rotating the distribution tool, moving the backing construction web relative to the distribution tool, orienting at least some of the loaded abrasive particles in the first slot, dispensing the oriented abrasive particles on to the major face, wherein during the step of distributing, a plurality of the oriented abrasive particles are simultaneously at least partially within the first slot and in contact with the major face. loading abrasive particles to a distribution tool, the distribution tool defining a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots defines a length, a width, and a depth, and the length is greater than the width and the depth, and the length is greater than at least two times the largest nominal dimension of the abrasive particles, each of the slots being open to an exterior of the distribution tool, wherein the plurality of slots comprises a first slot having a slot width W S; and distributing abrasive particles from the distribution tool on to a major face of a backing construction web located immediately below the distribution tool such that the distribution tool is spaced from the backing construction web by a gap G that is less than a maximum dimension or dimensions of the abrasive particles, the abrasive particles comprising a particle maximum length L P, a particle maximum height H P, and a particle maximum thickness T P such that the slot width W S is less than the maximum particle length L P and the maximum particle height H P, and the slot width W S approximates or is greater than the maximum particle thickness T P, the distributing step including: rotating the distribution tool, moving the backing construction web relative to the distribution tool, orienting at least some of the loaded abrasive particles in the first slot, dispensing the oriented abrasive particles on to the major face, wherein during the step of distributing, a plurality of the oriented abrasive particles are simultaneously at least partially within the first slot and in contact with the major face. rotating the distribution tool, moving the backing construction web relative to the distribution tool, orienting at least some of the loaded abrasive particles in the first slot, dispensing the oriented abrasive particles on to the major face, wherein during the step of distributing, a plurality of the oriented abrasive particles are simultaneously at least partially within the first slot and in contact with the major face.