Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 152,747	$ 155,955	$ 306,040	$ 290,118
Operating income (loss):
Defined benefit pension credit	1,898	4,750	3,797	9,500
Other postretirement benefit credit	1,577	1,299	3,154	2,599
Other	904	1,192	2,852	2,194
Total operating income	12,253	16,026	24,579	30,226
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(333)	(328)	(693)	(603)
Other income (expense), net	(70)	425	(347)	548
Income before income taxes	11,850	16,123	23,539	30,171
Keystone Steel & Wire [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	145,150	149,682	298,141	285,019
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income	9,129	9,477	19,666	18,418
Engineered Wire Products, Inc. [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	16,975	17,368	29,724	28,410
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income	965	1,356	1,411	1,467
Keystone-Calumet, Inc. [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	8,147	9,515	15,589	15,912
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income	(412)	336	(597)	436
Elimination of Intersegment Sales [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ (17,525)	$ (20,610)	$ (37,414)	$ (39,223)