Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 2,403,493	$ 1,884,067	$ 1,999,859
Cost of goods sold	1,519,102	1,256,339	1,423,320
Gross profit	884,391	627,728	576,539
Operating expense	538,530	477,487	489,567
Restructuring and asset impairment charges (Notes 2 and 15)	12,586	43,923	173,656
Amortization of intangibles	11,602	13,090	13,134
Operating income (loss)	321,673	93,228	(99,818)
Interest expense	22,760	25,203	27,244
Other expense (income), net	2,780	(8,577)	(14,566)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	296,133	76,602	(112,496)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (Note 12)	63,856	26,977	(11,205)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	232,277	49,625	(101,291)
Loss from discontinued operations (Note 5)		(1,423)	(17,340)
Net income (loss)	232,277	48,202	(118,631)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,550	1,783	1,111
Net income (loss) attributable to Kennametal	229,727	46,419	(119,742)
Amounts attributable to Kennametal Shareowners:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	229,727	47,842	(102,402)
Loss from discontinued operations (Note 5)		(1,423)	(17,340)
Net income (loss) attributable to Kennametal	$ 229,727	$ 46,419	$ (119,742)
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	$ 2.80	$ 0.59	$ (1.40)
Discontinued operations		$ (0.02)	$ (0.24)
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total	$ 2.80	$ 0.57	$ (1.64)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	$ 2.76	$ 0.59	$ (1.40)
Discontinued operations		$ (0.02)	$ (0.24)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total	$ 2.76	$ 0.57	$ (1.64)
Dividends per share	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.48
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	82,063	80,966	73,122
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	83,173	81,690	73,122