Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,300	$ 15,301	$ 6,841	$ 8,762
Deferred income tax assets - current	20,507	24,373
Prepaid and other current assets	9,578	8,016
Total current assets	184,332	193,959
Deferred income tax assets	59,686	112,568
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries, net	33,983	17,229
Total assets	509,723	512,361
Current Liabilities:
Trade payables	34,823	29,530
Accrued liabilities	28,483	25,735
Total current liabilities	80,225	82,148
Accrued pension liability	143,705	217,141
Total liabilities	375,851	460,433
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock - $.01 par value; authorized 180,000 shares; issued 13,444 and 13,140 shares, respectively	134	131
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(181,931)	(226,168)
Additional paid-in capital	565,441	559,970
Treasury stock, at cost - 458 and 0 shares, respectively	(9,796)	0
Accumulated deficit	(239,976)	(282,005)
Total stockholders' equity	133,872	51,928	58,998	(30,160)
Liabilities and stockholders' equity	509,723	512,361
Parent
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,853	735	1,511	2,973
Deferred income tax assets - current	4,062	8,231
Prepaid and other current assets	92	105
Total current assets	6,007	9,071
Notes receivable from Bairnco	4,627	4,627
Investments in Associates	33,983	17,229
Deferred income tax assets	64,088	102,221
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries, net	278,730	226,878
Total assets	387,435	360,026
Current Liabilities:
Trade payables	61	99
Accrued liabilities	718	648
Total current liabilities	779	747
Accrued interest - Handy & Harman	12,193	12,193
Notes payable to Handy & Harman	98,188	80,083
Accrued pension liability	142,403	215,075
Total liabilities	253,563	308,098
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock - $.01 par value; authorized 180,000 shares; issued 13,444 and 13,140 shares, respectively	134	131
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(181,931)	(226,168)
Additional paid-in capital	565,441	559,970
Treasury stock, at cost - 458 and 0 shares, respectively	(9,796)	0
Accumulated deficit	(239,976)	(282,005)
Total stockholders' equity	133,872	51,928
Liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 387,435	$ 360,026