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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Sep. 20, 2011 Class A nonvoting common stock	Sep. 20, 2011 Class B Common Stock
Entity Registrant Name	BRADY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000746598
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 1,488,000,246
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			49,244,116	3,538,628