Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2016 plan	Jun. 01, 2008 plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of pension plans | plan				2
Expected required benefits 2017	$ 34,200
Expected required benefits 2018	31,100
Expected required benefits 201889	39,900
Expected required benefits 2020	36,000
Expected required benefits 2021	32,700
Expected required benefits, Thereafter	$ 80,600
Maximum annual contribution per employee (as a percent)	6.00%
Employer matching contribution (as a percent)	50.00%
Expense for Company's matching contribution	$ 2,200	$ 1,900	$ 2,000
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum annual contribution per employee (as a percent)	1.00%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum annual contribution per employee (as a percent)	75.00%
Bear Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 13,100	13,300
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 331,872	347,921	323,493
Amortization period for pension plan actuarial gains (losses) (in years)	20 years
Amount of actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost	$ 13,700
Amount of prior service cost included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost	0
Expected required benefits 2017	43,910
Expected required benefits 2018	43,472
Expected required benefits 201889	42,987
Expected required benefits 2020	42,372
Expected required benefits 2021	41,672
Expected required benefits, Thereafter	195,366
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	$ 0	$ 0
Amount of actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost	0
Amount of prior service cost included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost	(100)
Expected required benefits 2017	107
Expected required benefits 2018	105
Expected required benefits 201889	106
Expected required benefits 2020	89
Expected required benefits 2021	82
Expected required benefits, Thereafter	$ 373
Bairnco Salaried and Kasco Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of pension plans | plan					2
WHX Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of plan assets moved in split				0.03