Good afternoon everyone!

i am new to this site, and also new to the BDSM scene. I recently met, and am now in a relationship, with a sub of my own. Neither of us have ANY experience with pain-play or rope-play. We have not really progressed past what could and probably would be done in a vanilla relationship (light to medium spanking, and some cuffs). We have yet to explore pain thresholds, and this is the main reason for this post! (i know, finally right?)

My sub has told me more than once that she will be willing to try and endure anything if i ask her, but i know my limitations! (she seems to view me through rose tinted glasses). I might be a top, but i dont want to cause any pain which will put her off the scene, or push her away from me. So i was wondering how it would be possible to:

1. Discover pain thresholds.
2. Devise punishments (would they be punishments if they dont go above her threshold to be precise)
3. Finally (and most importantly) i have wanted to experiment with a whip for a LONG time now, and it is one of my subs personal fantasy's as well. but i realise how dangerous it would be if i tried it on her, and if we both want to try it, how can i get experience using it?

sorry for being so rambling + long winded, and i look forward to reading your replies.

xD