Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 25,170	$ 42,029	$ 26,481
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash loss (gain) from associated company, net of tax	7,101	(6,006)	0
Deferred income taxes	13,414	10,482	6,823
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Pension expense	3,739	5,206	3,195
Net cash provided by operating activities	50,689	49,163	58,439
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,902)	(36,875)	(37,882)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(60,579)	(9,796)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(17,143)	(17,422)	(12,230)
Net change for the year	21,644	(5,134)	8,327
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,300	15,301	6,841
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	31,649	10,300	15,301
Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	25,170	42,029	26,481
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Equity in income of subsidiaries, net of tax	(39,979)	(44,275)	(35,498)
Payment in kind interest expense - Handy & Harman	0	0	4,087
Interest income - Bairnco notes receivable	0	0	(560)
Non-cash stock-based compensation	5,105	4,860	4,476
Non-cash loss (gain) from associated company, net of tax	7,433	(6,006)	0
Deferred income taxes	(4,624)	(5,945)	(5,410)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Pension payments - WHX Pension Plan	(20,540)	(13,106)	(15,919)
Pension expense	3,739	5,206	3,195
Other current assets and liabilities	487	45	(1,047)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(23,209)	(17,192)	(20,195)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in associated company	(1,499)	0	(6,321)
Dividends from subsidiaries	85,000	10,000	6,321
Net cash used in investing activities	83,501	10,000	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Notes payable - Handy & Harman	20,540	18,106	19,419
Purchases of treasury stock	(60,579)	(9,796)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(40,039)	8,310	19,419
Net change for the year	20,253	1,118	(776)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,853	735	1,511
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 22,106	$ 1,853	$ 735