Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 528,660	$ 493,292	$ 654,758
Operating profit (loss)	51,113	24,181	47,516
Depreciation and amortization	21,611	20,720	20,217
Capital Expenditure	12,019	12,053	14,923
Assets	820,247	824,294
Assets of Continuing Operations	820,247	824,294
Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	411,888	379,899	478,946
Service & Rental [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	116,772	113,393	175,812
Industrial Tools & Services [Member] [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	493,125	454,863	609,515
Operating profit (loss)	81,683	65,549	101,411
Depreciation and amortization	15,856	14,854	14,762
Capital Expenditure	10,918	7,282	9,945
Assets	641,256	592,086
Industrial Tools & Services [Member] [Domain] | Product
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	376,353	341,470	433,703
Industrial Tools & Services [Member] [Domain] | Service & Rental [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	116,772	113,393	175,812
Other Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	35,535	38,429	45,243
Operating profit (loss)	(10,420)	(3,420)	(11,821)
Depreciation and amortization	3,568	3,620	3,408
Capital Expenditure	768	2,625	3,917
Assets	52,745	61,105
General Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	(20,150)	(37,948)	(42,076)
Depreciation and amortization	2,187	2,246	2,047
Capital Expenditure	333	2,146	$ 1,061
Assets	$ 126,246	$ 171,103