Stockholder's Investment (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2008
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	$ (2,829)	$ (4,492)	$ (5,495)
Sale of shares at cost	(46)	289	(432)
Issuance of restricted stock	(2,835)
Amortization of restricted stock	846	1,374	1,435
Ending balance, Value	(4,864)	(2,829)	(4,492)
Unearned Restricted Stock [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	(3,373)	(4,747)	(6,182)
Issuance of restricted stock	(2,835)
Amortization of restricted stock	846	1,374	1,435
Ending balance, Value	(5,362)	(3,373)	(4,747)
Deferred Compensation [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	12,847	13,282	13,643
Beginning balance, shares	614,988	671,650	690,539
Sale of shares at cost	(1,421)	(1,247)	(1,655)
Purchase of shares at cost	666	813	1,294
Ending balance, shares	560,078
Ending balance, Value	12,092
Shares Held Rabbi Trust At Cost [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	(12,304)	(13,027)	(12,956)
Beginning balance, shares		614,988	671,650	690,539
Sale of shares at cost	1,375	1,536	1,223
Purchase of shares at cost	(666)	(813)	(1,294)
Ending balance, shares	560,078
Ending balance, Value	$ (11,595)

Amount represents the amortization of the restricted stock awards, recognition of stock-based compensation expense during the reporting period.

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The beginning balance of shares as of the balance sheet date represents the investment at the original cost of shares held in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock adjusted for plan amendments.

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The beginning balance of shares as of the balance sheet date represents the investment of shares held in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock adjusted for plan amendments.

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The beginning balance of shares as of the balance sheet date held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans.

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The beginning balance of shares as of the balance sheet date held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the original cost of all the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans.

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The ending balance of shares as of the balance sheet date represents the investment at the original cost of shares held in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock adjusted for plan amendments.

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The ending balance of shares as of the balance sheet date represents the investment of shares held in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock adjusted for plan amendments.

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- Definition

The ending balance of shares as of the balance sheet date held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans.

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The ending balance of shares as of the balance sheet date held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the original cost of all the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans.

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Other Equity at Brady includes the value of stock issued under share-based plans and deferred compensation plans to employees or officers which is the unearned portion.

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Amount represents the sale of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock resulting from deferred compensation transactions (purchases or sales).

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Amount represents the sale of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock resulting from deferred compensation transactions.

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Summary of other activity in stockholders investment.

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Value of stock related to Restricted Stock Awards issued during the period, net of the stock value of such awards forfeited.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b

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