Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flow (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012 Parent Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.	Oct. 01, 2011 Parent Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.	Sep. 29, 2012 The Black & Decker Corporation	Oct. 01, 2011 The Black & Decker Corporation	Sep. 29, 2012 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	Oct. 01, 2011 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	Sep. 29, 2012 Eliminations	Oct. 01, 2011 Eliminations
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 151.2	$ 155.9	$ 418.1	$ 455.6		$ (654.9)	$ (650.0)	$ (70.9)	$ 789.3	$ 1,143.9	$ 316.3	$ 0	$ 0
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(89.0)	(58.4)	(259.5)	(196.4)		(53.1)	(53.1)	0	0	(206.4)	(143.3)	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(106.4)	(50.2)	(683.8)	(214.8)	(216.2)	(453.8)	0	(2.5)	0	(227.5)	(214.8)	0	0
Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities	0	(3.1)	0	(3.1)			0		0		(3.1)		0
Proceeds from sale of assets	2.3	2.5	8.6	28.5		0.9	0	0	0	7.7	28.5	0	0
Intercompany payables and receivables			0	0		28.8	278.3	1,430.8	501.1	0	0	(1,459.6)	(779.4)
Proceeds (payments) on net investment hedge settlements	4.8	(5.3)	11.8	34.5		9.8	17.9	2.0	16.6	0	0	0	0
Short-term investments	0	24.7	0	(17.8)			0		0		(17.8)		0
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(188.3)	(1,052.7)	(934.2)	(1,401.0)		(467.4)	207.3	1,430.3	484.5	(437.5)	(1,313.4)	(1,459.6)	(779.4)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments on long-term debt	(900.9)	(1.8)	(1,222.0)	(403.2)		(570.6)		(650.9)		(0.5)		0
Payments of Debt Extinguishment Costs	(91.0)	0	(91.0)	0		(14.9)		(76.1)		0		0
Proceeds (payments) on long-term debt				(403.2)			0		(400.0)		(3.2)		0
Proceeds from long-term debt	729.4	0.9	729.4	21.4		729.4	20.5	0	0	0	0.9	0	0
Net premium paid for equity option	0	0	0	(19.6)			(19.6)		0		0		0
Stock purchase contract fees	(0.8)	(0.8)	(2.4)	(2.4)		(2.4)	(2.4)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Net short-term borrowings (repayments)	527.4	(68.8)	1,316.3	556.0		1,316.5	546.9	0	0	(0.2)	9.1	0	0
Cash dividends on common stock	(82.5)	(69.1)	(221.3)	(206.6)		(221.3)	(206.6)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Termination of interest rate swaps	0	0	35.8	0		15.2		20.6		0		0
Termination of forward starting interest rate swap	0	0	(56.4)	0		(56.4)		0		0		0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	27.4	17.0	102.9	102.4		102.9	102.4	0	0	0	0	0	0
Purchase of common stock for treasury	0	(0.1)	(217.8)	(6.2)		(217.8)	(6.2)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Intercompany payables and receivables			0	0		0	0	(652.8)	(869.5)	(806.8)	90.1	1,459.6	779.4
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	209.0	(122.7)	373.5	41.8		1,080.6	435.0	(1,359.2)	(1,269.5)	(807.5)	96.9	1,459.6	779.4
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	19.8	(44.7)	5.2	11.0		0	0	0	0	5.2	11.0	0	0
Change in cash and cash equivalents	191.7	(1,064.2)	(137.4)	(892.6)		(41.7)	(7.7)	0.2	4.3	(95.9)	(889.2)	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			906.9	1,742.8	1,742.8	56.2	(5.0)	1.4	3.5	849.3	1,744.3	0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$ 769.5	$ 850.2	$ 769.5	$ 850.2	$ 906.9	$ 14.5	$ (12.7)	$ 1.6	$ 7.8	$ 753.4	$ 855.1	$ 0	$ 0