| **Business Acquisitions and Investments - Pro Forma (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
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| **Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]**                                                  |           |   |
| Net sales                                                                                                                              | $ 312,685      | $ 256,271 |
| Gross profit                                                                                                                           | 96,587         | 81,486 |
| Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.                                                                                              | 24,321         | 23,462 |
| Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)                                                   | $ 0.48         | $ 0.47 |
| Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]                                                                                   |           |   |
| **Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]**                                                  |           |   |
| Net sales                                                                                                                              | 312,685        | 256,271 |
| Pro forma, net sales                                                                                                                   | 328,112        | 307,335 |
| Gross profit                                                                                                                           | 31,266         | 33,815 |
| Pro forma, gross profit                                                                                                                | 39,020         | 26,761 |
| Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.                                                                                              | 24,321         | 23,462 |
| Pro forma, net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.                                                                                   | $ 30,085       | $ 18,157 |
| Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)                                                   | $ 0.48         | $ 0.47 |
| Pro forma, diluted earnings per share(in dollars per share)                                                                            | $ 0.59         | $ 0.36 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Operating Profit
+ References
No definition available.
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|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, per diluted share of common stock for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
+ References
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|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.
+ References
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|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.
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| - Definition
Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.
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