Business Acquisitions and Investments - Pro Forma (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014		Jun. 01, 2013		May 31, 2014		Jun. 01, 2013
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 386,642		$ 287,583		$ 699,327		$ 543,854
Pro forma, net sales	406,423		363,390		761,586		694,913
Operating profit	125,370		98,214		221,957		179,700
Pro forma, gross profit	62,376		61,157		108,733		89,595
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	34,552		33,051		58,873		56,513
Pro forma, net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	41,538		40,272		75,784		58,913
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68		$ 0.66		$ 1.16		$ 1.12
Pro forma, diluted earnings per share(in dollars per share)	$ 0.82		$ 0.80		$ 1.49		$ 1.17
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	19,781		26,272		46,837		50,459
Operating profit	10,209	[1]	7,677	[2]	17,677	[1]	9,277	[3]
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	6,240		4,381		10,485		4,801
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12		$ 0.09		$ 0.21		$ 0.10
Adjustments to remove transaction costs	3,035				3,035		3,740
Adjustments related to step-up of inventory	1,368		144		1,368		4,342
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	0		49,535		15,422		100,600
Operating profit	1,020	[4]	4,079	[5]	8,643	[6]	(2,898)	[7]
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	746		2,840		6,426		(2,401)
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.06		$ 0.13		$ (0.05)
Adjustments to remove transaction costs					2,089		3,075
Adjustments related to step-up of inventory	664				4,216		1,368
As Reported [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	386,642		287,583		699,327		543,854
Operating profit	51,147		49,401		82,413		83,216
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$ 34,552		$ 33,051		$ 58,873		$ 56,513
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68		$ 0.66		$ 1.16		$ 1.12

[1] Includes adjustments to remove transaction costs of $3,035 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $1,368, which have been pushed back to the three months ended March 2, 2013 for pro forma presentation. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[2] Includes adjustments to push back cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $144. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[3] Includes adjustments to push back transaction costs of $3,740 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $4,342. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[4] Includes adjustments to cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $664, which have been pushed back to the six months ended June 1, 2013 for pro forma presentation.

[5] Includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[6] Includes adjustments to remove transaction costs of $2,089 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $4,216, which have been pushed back to the period ended March 2, 2013 for pro forma presentation. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[7] Includes adjustments to push back transaction costs of $3,075 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $1,368. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.