Iron or German silver (nickel silver) were once used for the primary materials of the mengane, but light alloy such as duralumin has been started to be used from the point of view of lighter weight.
面金の材質はかつて鉄や洋銀（洋白）が主流であったが、後に面の軽量化の観点からジュラルミンなどの軽合金が広く使われ始めた。