Comprehensive Earnings (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Equity Components and Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$ 30,270	$ 32,070	$ 86,676	$ 86,759
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	141	89	306	202
Net earnings	30,411	32,159	86,982	86,961
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, foreign currency and other adjustments	5,086	(684)	(5,550)	8,626
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, pension liability adjustments	1,072	711	3,237	2,917
Total comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax	36,569	32,186	84,669	98,504
CLARCOR Inc. [Member]
Equity Components and Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	30,270	32,070	86,676	86,759
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, foreign currency and other adjustments, portion attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	5,001	(681)	(5,471)	8,747
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, pension liability adjustments, portion attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	1,072	711	3,237	2,917
Total comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax, attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	36,343	32,100	84,442	98,423
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests [Member]
Equity Components and Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	82	65	188
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, foreign currency and other adjustments, portion attributable to noncontrolling interests	64	(190)	12	(189)
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, pension liability adjustments, portion attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	134	(108)	77	(1)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests [Member]
Equity Components and Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	71	7	241	14
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, foreign currency and other adjustments, portion attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	187	(91)	68
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, pension liability adjustments, portion attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 92	$ 194	$ 150	$ 82