Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 28, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012 Brady Medical [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Varitronics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill increased			$ 201,181
Increase in goodwill resulting from acquisition	189,942	0	189,942	0	189,942
Increase in goodwill resulting from foreign currency translation			14,121
Decrease in goodwill						863	2,019
Accumulated impairment	0	115,688	0	115,688
Customer relationships					101,500
Amortized trademarks					6,800
Amortization expense of intangible assets	5,015	4,075	9,162	8,155
Projected future amortization expense, year one	19,995		19,995
Projected future amortization expense, year two	19,173		19,173
Projected future amortization expense, year three	16,955		16,955
Projected future amortization expense, year four	13,584		13,584
Projected future amortization expense, year five	$ 12,173		$ 12,173