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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 SIgMNtTGn4qowgF8mRm+qw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001225753-04-000003.txt : 20040702
<SEC-HEADER>0001225753-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20040702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040702101255
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001225753-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040702

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KENNAMETAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000055242
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MACHINE TOOLS, METAL CUTTING TYPES [3541]
		IRS NUMBER:				250900168
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 TECHNOLOGY WAY
		STREET 2:		P O  BOX 231
		CITY:			LATROBE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15650
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7245395000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 TECHNOLOGY WAY
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 231
		CITY:			LATROBE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15650

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TAMBAKERAS MARKOS I
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001012990
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AUTO CONTROLS FOR REGULATING RESIDENTIAL & COMML ENVIRONMENT [3822]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05318
		FILM NUMBER:		04897423

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HONEYWELL PLZ
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 524
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55408
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6129511000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ITT INDUSTRIES INC
		STREET 2:		4 WEST RED OAK LANE
		CITY:			WHITE PLAINS
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10604
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000055242</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KENNAMETAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KMT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001012990</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TAMBAKERAS MARKOS I</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1600 TECHNOLOGY WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>POST OFFICE BOX 231</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LATROBE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15650</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman, President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14203</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>45.3</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>277361.1525</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The amount of securities beneficially owned following the reported transaction includes 493.7615 shares acquired pursuant to tax-conditioned plans (exempt under Rule 16b-3(c)).  Specifically, the amount includes: (a) 226.915 shares acquired pursuant to the Kennametal Inc. Thrift Plan; and (b) 266.8465 shares acquired pursuant to the Kennametal Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tara Breslin Vittone Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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